The Village Idiom

pull the rug out from under

The idiom "pull the rug out from under" means to unexpectedly remove support or stability from someone or something, causing them to fail or be in a state of confusion.

Truth, lies & confusion · Filed under P

In a sentence

  • After working hard for months on the project, the boss pulled the rug out from under us by canceling it at the last minute.
  • The sudden decrease in funding from the government pulled the rug out from under the organization, causing it to struggle financially.
  • Just when she thought everything was going well in her relationship, he pulled the rug out from under her by ending it without any explanation.

Where it comes from and how it is used

"Pull the wool over someone's eyes" is another idiom that shares a similar meaning with "pull the rug out from under." This expression refers to deceiving or tricking someone by concealing the truth or fooling them in some way. When someone pulls the wool over someone's eyes, they are intentionally misleading them, making them believe something false or withholding important information. The deceptive nature of this idiom aligns with the sense of betrayal and destabilization conveyed by "pull the rug out from under."

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.