"Take the rug out from under" is an idiomatic expression commonly used in informal contexts. It refers to the act of unexpectedly undermining or removing support or stability from someone, causing them to feel disoriented, shocked, or vulnerable. This phrase essentially signifies the act of disrupting someone's plans, beliefs, or confidence, thereby leaving them unprepared or incapable of dealing with the situation at hand.
This expression derives its meaning from the metaphorical image of pulling or sweeping away a rug from underneath someone's feet. Just as suddenly removing a rug can cause a person to lose their balance and fall, figuratively taking the rug out from under someone implies sabotaging their position or causing them to lose their footing in a circumstance.
When this phrase is used, it usually signifies a sudden and surprising turn of events that can have significant emotional or practical consequences for the person it is directed towards. It often implies a sense of betrayal or unfairness, as well as highlighting the element of surprise and lack of preparation.
For example, if a colleague is promised a promotion and has been working diligently towards it, but then finds out that the promotion was given to someone else without any prior notice, they may feel like the rug has been taken from under them. In this case, they were suddenly deprived of the support or stability they expected, causing a sense of disappointment, confusion, or even humiliation.
