cut the ground from under

Idioms  

1. Unexpectedly withdraw support or destroy one's foundation, trip someone up. For example, Overriding his veto, Congress cut the ground from under the President. This metaphoric phrase alludes to removing the solid earth from under someone. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cut the ground from under

We cut the ground from under them if we tell them the leg they are standing on is pretty shaky.

From Time Magazine Archive

The best way to cut the ground from under them again was just such a proposition as Bevin had made: a long-range goal of cooperative selfhelp, which depended on assurance of long-range U.S. support.

From Time Magazine Archive

But several days before the strikes, the new government of Mario Scelba had cut the ground from under them by promising a raise.

From Time Magazine Archive

This, in the view of U.S. diplomats, was a backdown on the agreement to "examine the possibility," and cut the ground from under the West at a critical moment.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Nealson would expel you publicly, cut the ground from under your feet if you resigned,” they said.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

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