mettere fuori combattimento

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “to put out of battle”.

Verb

méttere fuori combattimento (first-person singular present métto fuori combattimento, first-person singular past historic mìsi fuori combattimento, past participle mésso fuori combattimento, auxiliary avére) (transitive)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see mettere,‎ fuori combattimento.
   • 1990, Ernest Hemingway, translated by Ettore Capriolo, Fiesta [The Sun Also Rises], Mondadori:

     Traeva insomma una certa gioia intima dalla consapevolezza di poter mettere fuori combattimento chiunque avesse fatto lo spocchioso con lui, ma, essendo un ragazzo molto timido e assolutamente perbene, non si batté mai se non in palestra.

     There was a certain inner comfort in knowing he could knock down anybody who was snooty to him, although, being very shy and a thoroughly nice boy, he never fought except in the gym.

     (literally, “In sum, he drew a certain intimate joy from the knowledge that he could knock out anyone who had been snooty with him, but, being a very shy and absolutely respectable boy, he never fought if not in the gym.”)

2. to silence (someone) in a discussion; to shut up
3. to exclude (someone) from a community, agreement, etc.; to ostracize; to estrange