let the air out of the tires

[birdman]

This is a quote from Quote of the Day:

The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant--and let the air out of the tires.
- Dorothy Parker

What does "let the air out of the tires" mean? And is it a common expression?

 

[mrbilal87]

Hi,

I may be completely misunderstanding this, but I think the idea is that if you let the air out of the tires (of the car), and make the home atmosphere pleasant, the children wouldn't be able to go anywhere, nor would they want to.

Cheers!