Welcome, dear reader, to yet another intriguing chapter in “The Dictionary of Clichés: A Word Lover’s Guide to Overused Phrases and Almost-Pleasing Platitudes.” Today, we’re ‘cutting the ground from under’ the phrase “cutting the ground from under someone.” What’s better than a dashed argument? A wordy takeover of unsuspecting ground—literally and figuratively.
🌱 Defining the Terrain
Cutting the ground from under someone (or something): To undermine or thwart someone’s position or argument.
Often Seen With:
- Trip someone up: To cause someone to fail in their endeavor, often by clever maneuvering.
- Pull the rug out from under someone: To suddenly and unexpectedly withdraw something of value or support.
- Hoist with one’s own petard: To be foiled by one’s own plans or schemes.
Synonyms:
- Undermine
- Thwart
- Sabotage
Antonyms:
- Support
- Bolster
- Uphold
Proverbs and Literary References:
In James Howell’s French proverb collection of 1659, the phrase “Couper l’herbe sous les pieds”—literally “to cut the grass under one’s feet”—graced the pages as a picturesque French expression for our modern idiom.
Anthony Trollope wielded the phrase expertly in his novel The Warden (1869): “The ground was cut from under her.”
Literary Inspirations:
- Book: The Warden by Anthony Trollope
- Sentence: “Little by little, the ground was cut from under any belief she might have harbored, and she found herself standing on nothing but air.”
Film and TV:
- Movie: Mean Girls featuring several plot points where characters metaphorically cut the ground from under each other.
- Series: House of Cards where political intrigue often results in figurative but solidly planned ground cutting.
Humor-filled Quote:
“She loved to cut the ground from under him—and always aimed to plant her victory garden there.” —Anonymous
Educational Tidbit:
The roots (no pun intended) of this expression stretch back to the sixteenth century, highlighting how literary and conversational techniques have often employed them to describe the intricate power dynamics of human interaction.
Inspired Farewell:
And as we bid adieu, always remember: “Words can not only build strong foundations but also slyly erode others.” Fare thee well and tiptoe lightly, as you might find the ground under you… vanishing.
