pull the rug from under

phrase

: to weaken or unsettle especially by removing support or assistance from

Examples of pull the rug from under in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Written by Stallone, Rocky V pulled the rug from under the titular boxer. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pull the rug from under.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pull%20the%20rug%20from%20under. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster