pull the plug
(on someone) 1. Lit. to turn off someone's life-support system in a hospital. (Based on pull the plug (on something) {2}. This results in the death of the person whose life support has been terminated.) They had to get a court order to pull the plug on their father. Fred signed a living will making it possible to pull the plug on him without a court order.
2. Fig. to put an end to someone's activities or plans. (Based on pull the plug (on something) {2}.) The mayor was doing a fine job until the treasurer pulled the plug on him. David pulled the plug on Fred, who was taking too long with the project.
pull the plug
(on something) 1. Lit. to terminate the functions of something by pulling a connector from a socket. While she was working at the computer, I accidentally pulled the plug. I pulled the plug on the vacuum because the switch was broken.
2. Fig. to reduce the power or effectiveness of something; to disable something. Jane pulled the plug on the whole project. The treasurer pulled the plug because there was no more money in the budget.