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whistle down the wind

Verb CEFR C2

Definitions

  1. To set (someone) free, allowing them to go their own way and do what they choose.
    transitive
  2. To badmouth someone or something; to disparage.
    transitive
  3. To talk to no purpose.

Examples

“Can he do nothing for his Burns but make⟳ a Gauger of him; lionise him, bedinner him, for a foolish while: then whistle him down the wind, to desperation and bitter death?”
“It is very easy for you to whistle down the wind an eligible partner. There are far too many of us who can only wish⟳ we might have⟳ had the choice!”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

whistle for whistle in the dark whistle in the wind whistle past whistle past the graveyard whistle up

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