To terminate or stop something, often abruptly or decisively.
When do you use "Pull the plug"?
This phrase is appropriate in situations where a decision is made to stop something that is no longer viable, practical, or desired, such as ending a project, ceasing funding, or halting a process.
"Pull the plug" Usage Examples
After months of poor sales, the company finally decided to pull the plug on the product line.
The organizers pulled the plug on the event due to safety concerns.
When the project was behind schedule and over budget, the manager had no choice but to pull the plug.
After the team lost their main player to injury, they realized it was time to pull the plug on the season.
Despite initial enthusiasm, they pulled the plug on the startup after realizing it wasn't sustainable.
"Pull the plug" Explained
The phrase 'pull the plug' originates from medical contexts, where a plug is literally pulled to stop the operation of life-sustaining equipment, such as a ventilator. Over time, it has evolved into a metaphor used in various situations where one decides to end a project, activity, or plan.