Pull the plug

Meaning

The idiom "pull the plug" means to stop something from happening or to end a situation, usually suddenly and decisively. It can also mean to cause something to fail or collapse.

Usage

• "I tried to save the project, but my boss pulled the plug on it."
• "After months of trying to resolve the issue, she finally decided to pull the plug on the relationship."
• "The company had been losing money for years, so they decided to pull the plug and close down."
• "I was excited to see the new exhibit at the museum, but it was cancelled unexpectedly due to budget cuts. It's really too bad; they should have pulled the plug on other things instead."
• "When I saw my team struggling during the game, I knew it was time to pull the plug and make some changes."

Roots and History

The idiom "pull the plug" is believed to have originated in the early 20th century in the United States. It is thought to have come from the practice of cutting off water supply or electricity to a building by yanking on a plug or switch. Over time, the phrase became metaphorical and was used to describe other types of sudden termination or failure.

Synonyms in English

• Stop it
• End it
• Cancel it
• Put an end to it
• Halt it

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "terminarlo" (to end it)
• French: "arrêter" (to stop it)
• German: "beenden" (to end it)
• Italian: "stopparlo" (to stop it)
• Russian: "прерывать" (to interrupt or break off)

Similar Idioms

• pull the wool over eyes

• paddle own canoe

• put a sock in it