trim down to size

present singular third person trims down to size · participle present trimming down to size · participle past trimmed down to size · past trimmed down to size

1. Synonym of cut down to size.

   Someone may have wanted to trim a local dandy down to size.

   2012, Daniel W. Patterson, The True Image, page 296

   2 more examples

   If parents try to trim a 7-year-old egoist down to size with sarcastic quips or disparaging comments, they only add to his sense of inferiority and thereby agitate his continued construction of a defensive front.

   1962, W. Cleon Skousen, So You Want to Raise a Boy?, page 106

   I seen him trim Ollie Burdette down to size and run him out of town.

   2005, Louis L'Amour, To Tame a Land, page 102

   Synonyms: cut down to size