pull the plug (on someone or something)

1. Literally, to discontinue the power supply for a device by removing its power cable from the socket. The computer crashed so badly that the only thing I could do was pull the plug. She pulled the plug on the vacuum cleaner because I couldn't hear what she was saying.

2. By extension, to force something to end; to remove the means for something to continue operating. The new president pulled the plug on several of his predecessor's programs as soon as he took office. They pulled the plug because they felt our department wasn't an important part of the business.

3. To remove, turn off, or discontinue someone's life-support system, resulting in their death. Despite many objections, the court ruled that the family could pull the plug. I've instructed my family to pull the plug on me if I ever become brain dead.

pull the plug

(on someone)

1. Lit. to turn off someone's life-support system in a hospital. (Based on pull the plug (on something) {2}. This results in the death of the person whose life support has been terminated.) They had to get a court order to pull the plug on their father. Fred signed a living will making it possible to pull the plug on him without a court order.

2. Fig. to put an end to someone's activities or plans. (Based on pull the plug (on something) {2}.) The mayor was doing a fine job until the treasurer pulled the plug on him. David pulled the plug on Fred, who was taking too long with the project.

See also: plug, pull

pull the plug

(on something)

1. Lit. to terminate the functions of something by pulling a connector from a socket. While she was working at the computer, I accidentally pulled the plug. I pulled the plug on the vacuum because the switch was broken.

2. Fig. to reduce the power or effectiveness of something; to disable something. Jane pulled the plug on the whole project. The treasurer pulled the plug because there was no more money in the budget.

See also: plug, pull

pull the plug

prevent something from happening or continuing; put a stop to something. informal

This phrase alludes to an older type of lavatory flush which operated by the pulling out of a plug to empty the contents of the pan into the soil pipe.

1997 New Scientist And with the first elements of the ISS set for launch next year, it's hardly likely Congress will pull the plug on the project.

See also: plug, pull

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

pull the plug

verb

See pull the plug on someone/something

See also: plug, pull

See also:

References in periodicals archive

However, by knowing the early warning signs of an IT project that is bleeding cash, you can contain and control it, or at least pull the plug before more money goes down the drain.

IT project bleeding cash? Consider pulling the plug: a consultant offers some proven signs for determining if a technology project is foundering and might be better off being canceled, even at the expense of the outlays already made

Last week Patricia Hewitt, minister of state at the Department of Trade and Industry, praised the Mercury's Pull the Plug campaign and promised to take tougher action against the conmen.

Special Report: DOOR SLAMS ON THE BOGUS HOUSE HUNTERS

He bemoans the dearth of good family fare, but wants to pull the plug on Sesame Street, Nature, and even Barney.

Nightmares of depravity

And once you've decided to help out a declining industry or subsidize a rising one, when, if ever, do you pull the plug? And-most seriously of all--how do you separate the economically important industries from the politically powerful ones?

The End of Laissez-Faire: National Purpose and the Global Economy After the Cold War

Mobile phone giant Vodafone has confirmed plans to pull the plug on its final salary pension scheme in a move that will affect around 4,000 staff.

Vodafone ends final salary pensions; COMPANIES TODAY: PENSIONS

The Premier League still need to ratify the deal today and make sure all of the paperwork was done before yesterday's 5pm deadline after Zenit St Petersburg's last-gasp dirty tricks threatened to pull the plug on the transfer.

CLOSE SHAV FOR GUNNERS

ORGANISERS of an extreme sports and music festival were forced to pull the plug on this year's event due to poor ticket sales, it was revealed last night.

Too few tickets were sold; WALES

FURIOUS Britney Spears is threatening to pull the plug on her and hubby Kevin Federline's flop reality TV show.

The Razz: Britney's a TV flop

The London-based international media giant Pearson PLC has decided to pull the plug on its wholly owned subsidiary, FTE, which includes nearly 30 highly regarded, energy-related newsletters published out of London and Arlington, Virginia.

Acquisitions heat up, Pearson looks to sell FTE

Straight audiences would click the remote; advertisers would pull the plug. But that's what everyone said about gay and lesbian characters, period, just a few years ago.

Strangers in TV land

SKY TV last night refused to pull the plug on a documentary in which an underage schoolgirl boasts about her holiday sex exploits.

Defiant Sky shows schoolgirl sex film

Adding these factors and several others together, Houghton and colleagues pull the plug on the idea of a large U.S.

Carbon dioxide shakes off its pursuers

And general secretary Mr Doug McAvoy said that if ministers sought to impose the new pay system, further industrial action could follow which could "pull the plug" on Government initiatives.

Performance pay sparks threat from NUT

But Zenit threatened to pull the plug at the last minute in frustration at Arsenal because the Gunners had won the game of brinkmanship and got Arshavin for half the original asking price.

CLOSE SHAV FOR GUNNERS

Last week we asked: Is it time to pull the plug on reality television

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