put the skids under

Idioms  

1. Bring about the failure or defeat of, as in It was lack of funds that put the skids under the new senior center. The skids here are runners or rollers on which a heavy object may be moved. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

It was a handy response to the virtuoso performance of Harlequins' Marcus Smith - his rival for the Red Rose spot - which put the skids under Sale.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2023

This victory against Manchester United certainly put the skids under beleaguered manager Louis van Gaal.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2015

Then he landed the equaliser that put the skids under Ghana before temporarily negating Holland's obvious superiority in Cape Town with his left-foot drive.

From The Guardian • Jul. 7, 2010

This lack of understanding may not hinder our winning of the war, but it will most certainly put the skids under our winning of the peace if we don't look out.

From Time Magazine Archive

For that reason the Frothinghams on state160 occasions put the skids under Uncle Heck and run him off stage till after the final curtain.

From You Should Worry Says John Henry by McHugh, Hugh