pull the plug
Discontinue the operation
To pull the plug is to end something abruptly, especially something that has been sustained with effort or resources: The network pulled the plug on the show after two seasons.
The phrase comes from disconnecting electrical equipment or, more grimly, removing life support.
It implies a decisive termination rather than a gradual wind-down: Investors pulled the plug when costs doubled.
Deliberate death for relief
- end-of-lifeNearing death phase
- terminalAt the endpoint
- palliativeOffering relief, not remedy
- brain-deadIrreversibly without consciousness
vegetative · coma · irreversible · ventilator · feeding tube · DNR · living will · advance directive
terminate
Bring to an end
stop · cease · abort · suspend · shut down · kill · scrap · axe · shelve · abandon
euthanasia
Deliberate death for relief
- end-of-lifeNearing death phase
- terminalAt the endpoint
- palliativeOffering relief, not remedy
brain-dead · vegetative · coma · irreversible · ventilator · feeding tube · DNR · living will · advance directive · withdrawal of care
abandon
Leave behind permanently
defect · desert · disengage · walk away · cut ties · renege · opt out · step back · wash hands of · distance
- energy metaphorsamped, charged, electric, electrified, jolt
- disconnectiondisconnection, detach, sever, separation, isolate
- quittingquit, resign, resignation, stop, end
- shutdownshut down, power down, power off, turn off, switch off
- cancelcancel, annul, nullify, invalidate, revoke
- endingsending, the end, finish, close, final
pull the pluglaunch
Set into motion
kick off · plug in · start · get off the ground · initiate
pull the plugdouble down
Strengthen one's stance
prop up · revive · resuscitate · keep afloat · back
pull, plug, pulling, pulled, plugged, plugging, plugs, unplug, unplugged