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

We reached the street and headed east toward Lake Michigan, where the sun had just climbed out from under its thick, purplish-pink covers.

From Literature

Ms. Snider is an astute dramatist: Her heroine tragically loses the woman she loves, but finds her strength and, with the papal seal of approval on her visions, is able to move her nuns out from under the thumb of the abbot to form a women-only community.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I think that you need to center the needs of the people that you’re trying to help and ask, ‘Does it serve someone to pull the rug out from under them?’”

From Los Angeles Times

When they leave, the economic floor drops out from under the town with no warning.

From Salon

But any sign that the glut of sea oil is moving onshore could cause the floor to fall out from under the oil price.

From The Wall Street Journal