knock the stuffing out of someone
knock the stuffing out of someone
If something knocks the stuffing out of someone, it destroys all their energy and self-confidence, and leaves them feeling weak and nervous. That second goal knocked the stuffing out of Chelsea and they seemed to give up. For a while the accident knocked the stuffing out of me, but I'm ready now and determined to get back and prove myself. Note: The verb take is sometimes used instead of knock. The drive from the airport always took the stuffing out of her.