pulling the plug
The phrase "pulling the plug" is used metaphorically to describe ending support or discontinuing an activity, drawing from the literal action of removing a plug from a socket.
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Definition
B2Business
(informal)To cease support or halt a project, business, or plan, often by deciding not to provide further financial resources.
Example
- The company decided to pull the plug on the failing project.
C1Medical
(euphemistic)To discontinue life support, allowing a patient to die naturally.
Example
- The family made the difficult decision to pull the plug after the doctors said there was no hope for recovery.
B1General
(informal)To disconnect a device from its power source, stopping its operation.
Example
- Remember to pull the plug before you leave the house.
B2Gaming
(slang)To disconnect from an online game, often to avoid a loss or penalty.
Example
- Frustrated with the game, he pulled the plug to avoid losing more points.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "pulling the plug":
pull the plugpull outplug upplug inplugged insystem pullpull cordswitch offwall plugplug intopull the triggerplugged up