knock down to size

present singular third person knocks down to size · participle present knocking down to size · participle past knocked down to size · past knocked down to size

1. Synonym of cut down to size.

   The world is untamed and untameable. Wind, rain, and lightning knock us down to size.

   2013, Jerry Dennis, It's Raining Frogs and Fishes

   2 more examples

   “Watch it with the delirious power trips, pal,” she warned him. “Keep it up, and I'll have to knock you back down to size."

   2006, Shannon McKenna, Out Of Control

   My experience as a minister for twenty-five years has informed me that most people have inherited from their faith tradition a gigantic Jesus of epic proportions. I am almost hesitant to knock him down to size, and if I thought he truly was coming back as a 5'1" man with unlimited powers, I would probably keep my mouth shut.

   2015, Jimmy R. Watson, Big Jesus: A Pastor’s Struggle with Christology, page 49

   Synonyms: cut down to size