Pull the plug
Meaning
To stop an activity or project, especially because it is failing or no longer viable.
Origin
With the widespread advent of electricity and powered machinery in the 20th century, the literal act of 'pulling the plug' from an electrical outlet became the most immediate and definitive way to cease a device's operation. This stark, irreversible action gained a powerful metaphorical resonance, particularly in the context of halting critical systems or ending life support. The image of a final, decisive cutoff cemented the phrase's meaning as a dramatic and conclusive termination of a project, plan, or situation, often due to its failure or the cessation of hope for its success.
Examples
- The investors decided to pull the plug on the struggling startup after it failed to meet its funding targets.
- If the weather doesn't clear up by noon, we'll have to pull the plug on the outdoor festival.