cut the ground out from under (one)
(redirected from cut the ground out from under someone)cut the ground out from under (one)
To suddenly cause problems for one. I plan to cut the ground out from under the prosecutor with this line of questioning.
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.