pull the rug (out) from under (someone's) feet
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 my feet when my health insurance said it was going to stop paying for my medical bills. I'd love to up and quit my job, but I just can't pull the rug from under their feet like that.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
pull the rug from under someone/something
or pull the rug from under someone's feet
COMMON If someone pulls the rug from under someone or something or pulls the rug from under someone's feet, they suddenly stop helping and supporting them. Just when we got close to saving the shipyard, the Government pulled the rug from under our feet. The banks may yet pull the rug from under the project.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
pull the rug (from under someone)
abruptly withdraw support from someone.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017