pull the rug out from under

Idioms

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]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Should the world ease off on its purchases, that could pull the rug out from under China’s economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

Comprehending the way Martin set up Ned on the page to be the triumphant hero, only to pull the rug out from under his readers, is one matter.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2025

This masterful twist left everyone thinking Smithy had said yes… only to pull the rug out from under us.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2024

The Yankees, you could say, were threatening to pull the rug out from under the Orioles.

From Washington Post • Apr. 7, 2023

Even if she still didn’t completely trust Valley, and part of her felt she would pull the rug out from under her at any moment, Seven was glad to have Valley on her team.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023