Meaning of whistle down the wind | Babel Free

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