pulled the rug

USAGE SUMMARY

"pulled the rug" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it as an idiom to mean taking away something suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving someone in a difficult situation. For example: At the last minute, the company pulled the rug and canceled the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Maybe the economy pulled the rug out from under.

The Guardian

"He pulled the rug out from under us," Ms. Gins said at the time.

The New York Times - Arts

In one snippet, an elderly man says Bain "pulled the rug out from under our plant".

The New York Times

Though they pulled the rug out from under him, all is not lost.

The New York Times

Paris Saint-Germain managed two in Super League before finance and French immigration pulled the rug.

The Guardian - Sport

A Republican administration in Washington pulled the rug from under the conspirators.

The New York Times

"All of this overdevelopment has pulled the rug out from under them," she said.

The New York Times

Mr. Perez's opponents were not the only ones who believe the deal pulled the rug out from under them.

The New York Times

The German national team's ineptitude at Euro 2000 had pulled the rug from under the last doubters' feet.

The Guardian - Sport

"From what we're hearing, it sounds like Sharon has pulled the rug out of Powell's visit," an Arab diplomat said.

The New York Times

Then the Bank of England pulled the rug away, leaving savings not even keeping up with inflation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pulled the rug" to vividly describe a situation where someone's support or advantage is suddenly and unexpectedly removed, leaving them in a difficult position.

Common error

Avoid using "pulled the rug" for minor inconveniences. This idiom is most effective when describing a significant and detrimental loss of support or advantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pulled the rug" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English as an idiom to describe the sudden removal of support or advantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "pulled the rug" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in News & Media, to depict the sudden removal of support or advantage. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. Alternatives such as "cut the legs out from under" or "withdrew backing" can be used depending on the specific context. When employing this idiom, ensure the situation warrants its strong connotation of unexpected and detrimental disadvantage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cut the legs out from under

A vivid metaphor emphasizing the sudden loss of stability and support.

took away the advantage

Directly states the removal of a beneficial position.

withdrew backing

Implies a formal or previously committed endorsement that is now rescinded.

removed support

Focuses on the act of taking away assistance, less idiomatic.

left someone high and dry

An idiom that indicates abandonment in a difficult situation.

undermined the foundation

Highlights the act of weakening the basis for success or stability.

threw a wrench in the works

An idiomatic expression indicating disruption, but less severe than "pulled the rug".

changed the rules unexpectedly

Focuses on the alteration of established guidelines to someone's detriment.

sabotaged efforts

Suggests deliberate action to ruin plans or progress.

reneged on the deal

Implies breaking a promise or agreement, leading to disadvantage.

FAQs

What does the idiom "pulled the rug" mean?

The idiom "pulled the rug" means to suddenly remove support or advantage from someone, leaving them in a vulnerable or difficult situation.

How can I use "pulled the rug" in a sentence?

You can use "pulled the rug" to describe situations where someone experiences a sudden and unexpected loss of support. For example, "The company "removed support" at the last minute, effectively "pulled the rug" from under the project."

What are some alternatives to saying "pulled the rug"?

Alternatives include "cut the legs out from under", "withdrew backing", or "left someone high and dry", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "pulled the rug"?

Yes, "pulled the rug" is grammatically correct when used as part of a complete sentence. It functions as a verb phrase within the sentence's structure. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and can be used in written English.