pull the rug (out) from under (someone)

pull the rug (out) from under (someone)

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 me when my health insurance said it was going to stop paying for my medical bills. I'd love to quit my job, but I just can't pull the rug from under my team like that.

See also: pull, rug

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

pull the rug out (from under someone)

Fig. to make someone or someone's plans fall through; to upset someone's plans. Don pulled the rug out from under me in my deal with Bill Franklin. I was close to getting the contract until Don came along and pulled out the rug.

See also: out, pull, rug

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

pull the rug out from under

Remove all support and assistance from, usually suddenly. For example, Stopping his allowance pulled the rug out from under him, forcing him to look for a job . This metaphoric term alludes to pulling on a rug a person is standing on so that he or she falls. [Mid-1900s]

See also: out, pull, rug

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

pull the rug (out) from under

Informal

To remove all support and assistance from, usually suddenly.

See also: pull, rug

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.