Definition

Phrasal Verb: - To stop something from happening or continuing; to end support or funding for something, often abruptly. - To disconnect a medical device (especially a life-support machine) from a patient, allowing them to die naturally.

Usage

This phrasal verb is used to describe the decisive act of terminating an activity, project, or source of support. It implies a final and often authoritative action that causes something to stop.

Examples

• Preventing continuation:
  • The network pulled the plug on the unpopular TV show after just one season.
  • If the product doesn't sell, the company will have to pull the plug on the entire line.
• Ending financial support:
  • The government pulled the plug on the new infrastructure project due to budget cuts.
• Medical context:
  • After weeks with no sign of brain activity, the family made the difficult decision to pull the plug.

Advanced Usage

• "to pull the plug on something": This is the standard construction. The action is directed the thing being terminated.
  • The investors threatened to pull the plug on the startup if it didn't become profitable soon.

Variants and Related Words

• Pull out (of) (phrasal verb): To withdraw from a commitment or project.
  • The sponsor pulled out of the deal at the last minute.
• Terminate (verb): To bring to an end.
• Discontinue (verb): To stop making or providing something.

Synonyms

• Shut down: To cause a business or operation to close.
• Cut off: To stop providing something (like funds or supplies).
• Abort: To end something before it is completed.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pull out: To withdraw or retreat from a situation.
  • The army decided to pull out of the region.
• Pull the rug out from under (someone): To suddenly remove support from someone, causing their plans to fail.
  • Losing his funding pulled the rug out from under his research.

Related Idioms

• Put an end to: To stop something from continuing.
  • The new law put an end to the illegal practice.
• Bring down the curtain on: To mark the end of an event or period.
  • The final performance brought down the curtain on the festival.

Verb

1. prevent from happening or continuing
   • The government pulled the plug on spending