clip someone's wings

US /klɪp ˈsʌm.wʌnz wɪŋz/
UK /klɪp ˈsʌm.wʌnz wɪŋz/
"clip someone's wings" picture
1.

to limit someone's freedom or power

:
The new regulations will clip the CEO's wings, preventing him from making unilateral decisions.
Her parents tried to clip her wings by setting strict curfews, but she still found ways to be independent.