cut the ground from under (one)

To diminish or undermine one's power or effectiveness, especially in a sudden or unexpected manner. I plan to cut the ground from under the prosecutor with this line of questioning. A: "I warned Al not to cut the ground from under the boss in front of the CEO." B: "It was a really poor strategic move on his part." We need to be a united front when we're with the kids. You can't cut the ground from under me like that.

cut the ground from under(neath) (one's) feet

To diminish or undermine one's power or effectiveness, especially in a sudden or unexpected manner. I plan to cut the ground from underneath the prosecutor's feet with this line of questioning. A: "I warned Al not to cut the ground from under the boss's feet in front of the CEO." B: "It was a really poor strategic move on his part." We need to be a united front when we're with the kids. You can't cut the ground from underneath my feet like that.

cut the ground from under someone

cut the ground from under someone's feet

If you cut the ground from under someone or cut the ground from under their feet, you make their ideas or opinions seem less impressive, often by doing something unexpected. The sudden announcement was seen by many as an attempt to cut the ground from under the president's feet.