cut the ground from under
cut the ground from under (someone)
To suddenly cause problems for someone. I plan to cut the ground from under the prosecutor with this line of questioning.
See also: cut, ground
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
cut the ground from under
Unexpectedly withdraw support or destroy one's foundation, trip someone up. For example, Overriding his veto, Congress cut the ground from under the President. This metaphoric phrase alludes to removing the solid earth from under someone. [Mid-1800s]
See also: cut, ground
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
cut the ground from under somebody/somebody’s ˈfeet
suddenly spoil somebody’s idea or plan by doing something to stop them from continuing with it: When he announced that all my figures were out of date, he really cut the ground from under my feet.See also: cut, feet, ground, somebody
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
cut the ground from under, to
To foil or thwart someone, to trip someone up. The idea of leaving someone no ground to stand upon in an argument was expressed in the late sixteenth century by several writers; occasionally “grass” was substituted for “ground.” James Howell’s French proverb collection of 1659 included Couper l’herbe sous les pieds, “To cut the grass under one’s feet.” Anthony Trollope used the expression in several of his books, including The Warden (1869): “The ground was cut from under her.”
See also: cut, ground
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- cut the ground from under (someone)
- cut the ground out from under
- cut the ground out from under (one)
- cut the ground from under someone
- cut the ground from under someone's feet
- cut the ground from under(neath) (one's) feet
- underneath
- cut the ground from under somebody/somebody's feet
- cut eyes at
- cut eyes at (someone or something)