cut the ground out from under

cut the ground out 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 out from under the prosecutor with this line of questioning.

See also: cut, ground, out

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.