Meaning
To suddenly remove someone’s support, security or opportunity, leaving them shocked or unable to proceed as expected.
Origin
A rug gives a person a stable surface to stand on. Pulling it away unexpectedly causes loss of balance, so the image readily expresses the sudden removal of support or certainty. In modern English the rug may be figurative: funding is withdrawn, a promise is broken or a crucial assumption collapses. The idiom is particularly apt when someone depended on something that seemed secure. Its meaning is broader than simply surprising a person; the surprise changes their ability to act. It should not be confused with sweeping a problem under the rug, which involves concealment rather than removing support.
Examples
The company pulled the rug out from under us by cancelling the funding.
His sudden resignation pulled the rug out from under the whole team.
I felt as though the rug had been pulled out from under me.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Pull the rug out from under someone' mean?
To suddenly remove someone’s support, security or opportunity, leaving them shocked or unable to proceed as expected.