trimming down to size

Verb

trim down to size (third-person singular simple present trims down to size, present participle trimming down to size, simple past and past participle trimmed down to size)

1. Synonym of cut down to size.
   • 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

   Synonyms:

   cut down to size