cut the ground out from under (one)

cut the ground out from under (one)

To suddenly cause problems for one. I plan to cut the ground out from under the prosecutor with this line of questioning.
See also: cut, ground, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cut the ground out from under someone

Fig. to destroy the foundation of someone's plans or someone's argument. The politician cut the ground out from under his opponent. Congress cut out the ground from under the president.
See also: cut, ground, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • cut the ground out from under
  • cut the ground from under
  • cut the ground from under (someone)
  • 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 a fat hog
  • cut eyes at