THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Pull the plug
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To stop something from continuing.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- They pulled the plug on the project due to budget cuts.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?
To stop something from continuing.
Show the answer
Pull the plug — To stop something from continuing.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Pull the plug” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To stop something from continuing.
Compare: They pulled the plug on the project due to budget cuts.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
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More ways to understand and use it
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How to use this expression
The common figurative pattern is “pull the plug on” a project, event or service. It suggests actively bringing it to an end, often by withdrawing support. The literal meaning is removing an electrical plug; the figurative meaning does not require electricity.
More examples
The organizers pulled the plug on the outdoor show after the storm warning.
They decided not to pull the plug on the community magazine.
Check your understanding
Complete the phrase: “The company pulled the plug ___ the project.”
Answer: On. The phrase means that the company stopped the project.
Who ends the activity?
The organizers cancel a quiz series and withdraw its funding. One contestant says, “They pulled the plug on the series.”
Think it through: How is that different from one contestant throwing in the towel?
Check the explanation
The organizers end the activity itself; the contestant would give up their own participation or effort. “Pull the plug on” identifies what is stopped. It can be figurative even when no electrical equipment is involved.
Your turn: Report the cancellation with “on”, then write a separate sentence about a contestant giving up.
Compare expressions: Surprises, success and endings
An event can be unexpected, unusually successful or deliberately brought to an end. These expressions describe different outcomes; they are not interchangeable.
Try the situation question and check your answer →