put the skids under something

put the skids under (someone or something)

To cause the ruin, failure, or defeat of someone or something. Her frequent absences from work put the skids under any hopes she had of a promotion. The boss accused Theresa of trying to put the skids under him.

See also: put, skid

put the skids under something

BRITISH, INFORMAL

If a person or thing puts the skids under something or someone, they cause them to experience many problems or fail. It was a sudden increase in the oil price which first put the skids under the world economy. The Brazilian striker's fifth-minute goal helped put the skids under Manchester United in their quarter-final in Munich last month.

See also: put, skid, something

put the ˈskids under somebody/something

(informal) make somebody/something fail; stop somebody/something doing something: Unfortunately the government has put the skids under the hospital building programme.

See also: put, skid, somebody, something