pull the rug out (from under someone)
suddenly remove support, undermining someone
In Spanish
suddenly remove support, undermining someone
Examples
- Management pulled the rug out from under the team by cancelling the project.
- Just as negotiations were closing, the investor pulled the rug out from under us.
- She felt betrayed when her friend pulled the rug out from under her during the debate.
When it's used
This idiom is used to describe situations where support is suddenly withdrawn, leaving someone in a difficult position. It's informal and often appears in spoken language and casual writing, such as opinion pieces.
The common mistake
A common mistake is to translate the Spanish 'dejar a alguien tirado' directly as 'leave someone lying'. This version fails to convey the idea of suddenly withdrawing support. The correct approach is to use 'pull the rug out from under someone' in English.
Related idioms
FROM WHAT YOU READ TO WHAT YOU SAY
Recognising it isn't the same as using it
Reading an idiom and understanding it is step one. Dropping it into a conversation, at the right moment, without stopping to think, is another — and that only comes from speaking.
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