put the skids under

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]

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

Cheika may have his plan to put the skids under New Zealand but, as they showed on a Parisian back road and the city's biggest stage alike, these All Blacks don't mind dirtying their hands to get to a fourth Rugby World Cup title.

From BBC

And it certainly won't put the skids under Farrell.

From BBC

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

From BBC

They certainly looked good at Anfield back in August when a 3-0 victory is widely believed to have been the result that put the skids under Brendan Rodgers.

From The Guardian