Definition
To reduce someone's arrogance or self-importance by demonstrating their limitations or flaws.
挫其锐气
He was boasting about his achievements until his boss pointed out his mistakes publicly, which cut him down to size a bit.
他一直在吹嘘自己的成就，直到他的老板公开指出他的错误，这才让他认清自己的实力。
The young lawyer finally learned humility after the experienced judge cut him down to size in court.
这位年轻的律师在法庭上被经验丰富的法官挫了锐气后，终于学会了谦虚。
She thought she was the smartest in the team, until we found some significant flaws in her plan which cut her down to size.
她以为自己是团队中最聪明的，直到我们发现她计划中的重大缺陷，这才让她认清自己。