out from under

Idioms  

1. Free from difficulties, especially from a burden of debts or work. For example, They've been using credit cards for everything and don't know how they'll get out from under, or We have loads of mail to answer, but we'll soon get out from under. This idiom uses under in the sense of “in a position of subjection.” [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

out from under

Any songwriter should be so lucky — to have one of your hallmark tunes be lovingly swept out from under you and become one of the definitive ballads of pop music.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

But hearing her husband and getting him out from under tons of concrete and debris were very different things.

From Barron's ● Jun. 28, 2026

Then she mounts a free show in Central Park, something he can’t buy out from under her, that breaks attendance records.

From Salon ● May 29, 2026

While the likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire had that feeling of a rug being pulled out from under them, Ivan Toney represents one of manager Thomas Tuchel's big reveals.

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

The corner of my phone peeks out from under them.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam