pull the rug (out) from under (someone)
pull the rug (out) from under (someone)
To suddenly or unexpectedly remove or rescind support, help, or assistance from someone; to abruptly leave someone in a problematic or difficult situation. I felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me when my health insurance said it was going to stop paying for my medical bills. I'd love to quit my job, but I just can't pull the rug from under my team like that.
See also: pull, rug
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
pull the rug out (from under someone)
Fig. to make someone or someone's plans fall through; to upset someone's plans. Don pulled the rug out from under me in my deal with Bill Franklin. I was close to getting the contract until Don came along and pulled out the rug.
See also: out, pull, rug
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
pull the rug out from under
Remove all support and assistance from, usually suddenly. For example, Stopping his allowance pulled the rug out from under him, forcing him to look for a job . This metaphoric term alludes to pulling on a rug a person is standing on so that he or she falls. [Mid-1900s]
See also: out, pull, rug
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
pull the rug (out) from under
Informal To remove all support and assistance from, usually suddenly.
See also: pull, rug
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- brief (someone) about (someone or something)
- brief about
- accompany (one) on a/(one's) journey
- accompany on a journey
- a stranger to (someone or something)
- be out of (one's) league
- be out of somebody's league
- be in bad with (someone)
- (one's) heart goes out to (someone)
- (one) puts (one's) pants on one leg at a time