down to size

Though the deals appear gargantuan, experts say financial realities will cut them down to size.

“My mother would just cut me and my sister down to size, ya know? And that’s a very unstable feeling, to have your mother suddenly tell you that you stink, you should use deodorant.”

In Hollywood’s ongoing cheerless attempts to contest the joy of music by cutting stellar classical musicians down to size, “Maria” joins the curt parade of “Tár” and “Maestro.”

I wish Larraín had cut Callas down to size more.

Walter continued to whittle his son down to size.