Pull the plug on somebody/something
verb
To stop or end something, such as a plan, project or activity.
They decided to pull the plug on the project when they realised they could not meet the deadline.
Often appears as...
- pull the plug on a project
- pull the plug on a plan
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
In a medical context, to discontinue life support for a critically ill patient.
The doctor had to pull the plug on the brain-dead patient.
Often appears as...
- pull the plug on the patient
- pull the plug on life support
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To disconnect someone from an online communication platform or network.
The moderator pulled the plug on the troll disrupting the chat.
Often appears as...
- pull the plug on a user
- pull the plug on a chat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To stop or end something, such as a plan, project or activity.
They decided to pull the plug on the project when they realised they could not meet the deadline.
Often appears as...
- pull the plug on a project
- pull the plug on a plan
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
In a medical context, to discontinue life support for a critically ill patient.
The doctor had to pull the plug on the brain-dead patient.
Often appears as...
- pull the plug on the patient
- pull the plug on life support
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To disconnect someone from an online communication platform or network.
The moderator pulled the plug on the troll disrupting the chat.
Often appears as...
- pull the plug on a user
- pull the plug on a chat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Finality
Implies an action is final and cannot be reversed or restarted.
After the budget cuts, the director had no choice but to pull the plug on the festival.
Pro Tip 2/3Unsuccessful outcome
Often used when something is not going as planned or is unlikely to succeed.
Since the app was not getting any users, we pulled the plug on it.
Pro Tip 3/3Sudden cessation
Usually indicates a sudden or unexpected end to an activity or plan.
The heavy rainstorm pulled the plug on our picnic plans.
Pro Tip 1/3Finality
Implies an action is final and cannot be reversed or restarted.
After the budget cuts, the director had no choice but to pull the plug on the festival.
Pro Tip 2/3Unsuccessful outcome
Often used when something is not going as planned or is unlikely to succeed.
Since the app was not getting any users, we pulled the plug on it.
Pro Tip 3/3Sudden cessation
Usually indicates a sudden or unexpected end to an activity or plan.
The heavy rainstorm pulled the plug on our picnic plans.
Pro Tip 1/3Finality
Implies an action is final and cannot be reversed or restarted.
After the budget cuts, the director had no choice but to pull the plug on the festival.
Pro Tip 2/3Unsuccessful outcome
Often used when something is not going as planned or is unlikely to succeed.
Since the app was not getting any users, we pulled the plug on it.
Pro Tip 3/3Sudden cessation
Usually indicates a sudden or unexpected end to an activity or plan.
The heavy rainstorm pulled the plug on our picnic plans.
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