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3. put the skids under

put the skids under

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put the skids under someone or something

Sl. to cause someone or something to fail. Her lateness put the skids under our presentation to the board of directors. He thought he could get promoted if he put the skids under the vice president.

See also: put, skid

put the skids under somebody/something

  (British & Australian informal)

to make something likely to fail Opposition from local residents has put the skids under plans for a new nightclub.

See hit the skids

See also: put, skid

put the skids under

Bring about the failure or defeat of, as in It was lack of funds that put the skids under the new senior center. The skids here are runners or rollers on which a heavy object may be moved. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

See also: put, skid