pull the plug on

1. Discontinue, end, as in The government pulled the plug on that program . [First half of 1900s]

2. Remove all life-supporting equipment, as in The family debated whether it was time to pull the plug on him . [Second half of 1900s] Although this idiom undoubtedly alludes to cutting off electricity to an electrical device, it originally referred to the removal of a stopper that flushed an old-style toilet.

Example Sentences

Direct pressure from the White House was the immediate catalyst for ABC’s decision to briefly pull the plug on Kimmel.

From Salon

However, they must be suitably worried about Delap to have taken a shock decision to pull the plug on Jackson's move, at least for now, and bring him back to Stamford Bridge.

From BBC

The Carter administration was ready to pull the plug on the case if it meant airing too many secrets, but a strategy was devised: Prosecutors would focus on the Pyramider documents, which involved a system that never actually got off the ground.

From Los Angeles Times

But music promoters Margate Summer Series said he had been forced to pull the plug on the impromptu event, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

From BBC

The Grammy nominee, who has been an outspoken supporter for Palestinians, got frank about their stance in an Instagram video responding to Cornell’s recent decision to pull the plug on their concert.

From Los Angeles Times