Slang definitions & phrases for take the starch out of
take the starch out of
verb phrase
To reduce or deflate someone's ego or conceit: took the starch out of her when she didn't win
Idioms and Phrases with take the starch out of
take the starch out of
Deflate or ridicule someone, as in That practical joke at the office party really took the starch out of Nick. This expression, first recorded in 1840, alludes to the starch used to stiffen a shirt.