Question

in_the_loop_577 to abruptly ruin someone’s plans or expectations Compare to: knock/throw (someone) for a loop Conversation

Accepted Answer

PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER (SOMEONE) When Tim went into his supervisor’s office, he thought he was going to get a raise for a job well done. He had the rug pulled out from under him when the boss fired him instead.Anne pulled the rug out from under her parents when she told them that she was not going to medical school and had decided to get married instead. The expression suggests the feeling of shock a person would have if a rug was literally pulled out from under him or her.

Id	in_the_loop_577
Idiom	PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER (SOMEONE)
Definition	to abruptly ruin someone’s plans or expectations
Examples	When Tim went into his supervisor’s office, he thought he was going to get a raise for a job well done. He had the rug pulled out from under him when the boss fired him instead. Anne pulled the rug out from under her parents when she told them that she was not going to medical school and had decided to get married instead.
Cross-Refs	Compare to: knock/throw (someone) for a loop
Extra Info	The expression suggests the feeling of shock a person would have if a rug was literally pulled out from under him or her.
Category	Conversation

Rug Pulled Loop Pull Abruptly Ruin Someone’s Plans