In this idiom and phrase question, the expression \"to clip one's wings\" means which of the following actions?

Introduction / Context:
English idioms and phrases are often used in exams to test whether candidates understand figurative language rather than just literal meanings. The expression to clip one's wings comes from the image of cutting a bird wings so that it cannot fly freely. In everyday usage, however, this idiom is applied to people and their freedom or power. This question asks you to choose the option that best explains the meaning of the idiom in ordinary human contexts, not in a literal sense about birds.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The idiom under consideration is to clip one's wings.
• The idiom is used about people, not only about actual birds.
• The options include both literal and figurative interpretations.
• The correct answer must reflect the common figurative meaning in English usage.

Concept / Approach:
Literally, clipping a bird wings means cutting or trimming the feathers so the bird cannot fly very far. When this image is applied to a person, the idiom means restricting that person freedom, authority or opportunities. In other words, to clip someone wings is to deprive them of power or limit their ability to act independently. Therefore, among the given choices, the best figurative explanation is to deprive one of power. Options that refer only to birds or plants are too literal and do not capture the way the idiom is normally used about people in sentences such as The new rules clipped his wings at work.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that idiom questions demand the figurative meaning, not just the literal picture.Step 2: Visualise the literal action: clipping a bird wings prevents it from flying freely.Step 3: Translate this into a human situation: a person whose wings are clipped can no longer act freely or exercise full authority.Step 4: Compare the options. To stop one from flying is literal and applies only to birds, not to people in a metaphorical sense.Step 5: To trim the leaves is about plants and has no clear relationship to limiting a person independence.Step 6: To deprive one of power matches the idea of restricting a person freedom, authority or influence.Step 7: To hurt a bird again focuses on a literal animal and misses the idiomatic meaning.Step 8: Choose To deprive one of power as the best expression of the idiom meaning.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify your understanding by placing the idiom into sample sentences. For example, The manager clipped his wings after the mistake clearly implies that the manager reduced his authority or responsibilities. Replacing the idiom with to deprive him of power keeps the meaning almost unchanged, while replacing it with to stop him from flying or to hurt a bird makes no sense in a workplace context. This comparison shows that depriving someone of power is the correct figurative interpretation in everyday usage.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
To stop one from flying describes exactly what happens to a bird but does not capture how the idiom is used when talking about people careers, freedom or authority. To trim the leaves refers to plants and has nothing to do with the original image of wings or with limiting a person influence. To hurt a bird again remains in the literal world of animals and does not match typical idiomatic sentences. Because idioms in exams normally refer to human situations, these literal readings are not acceptable answers here.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may choose a literal option because they recognise the source image, without remembering that idioms require a metaphorical interpretation. Others might confuse to clip one's wings with expressions about discouraging or hurting someone emotionally, but the key idea here is reducing freedom or authority. To improve performance on idiom questions, always ask yourself how the phrase is used in real life sentences about people, jobs, relationships or politics rather than focusing on the direct physical meaning of the words.

Final Answer:
The idiom to clip one's wings means to deprive someone of power or restrict their freedom.