Pull the plug Meaning in English

expression

US

UK

Definition

To stop or cancel something, especially a project, activity, or service, by making a final decision to end it.

Usage & Nuances

Usually informal. Often used for ending projects, businesses, or support, not just physically removing a plug. Common collocations: 'pull the plug on', 'decision to pull the plug'. Can also refer to ending life support in a hospital context—use carefully.

• Spanish: cortar el suministro - cancelar - terminar (un proyecto, servicio)
• Portuguese (BR): desligar - acabar com - cancelar (um projeto, serviço)
• Portuguese (PT): desligar - acabar com - cancelar (um projeto, serviço)
• Chinese (Simplified): 终止 - 停止 - 取消（项目、服务）
• Chinese (Traditional): 終止 - 停止 - 取消（項目、服務）
• Hindi: समाप्त करना - बंद कर देना (परियोजना, सेवा)
• Arabic: إيقاف - إنهاء - إلغاء (مشروع، خدمة)
• Bengali: বন্ধ করা - বাদ দেওয়া
• Russian: прекратить - закрыть - остановить
• Japanese: やめる - 打ち切る - 中止する
• Vietnamese: chấm dứt - ngừng lại - huỷ bỏ
• Korean: 중단하다 - 종료하다 - 접다
• Turkish: fişi çekmek - sonlandırmak - bitirmek
• Urdu: ختم کرنا - بند کرنا
• Indonesian: menghentikan - membatalkan - mencabut

Example Sentences

They decided to pull the plug on the new app.

basic

If we don't get more money, we'll have to pull the plug.

basic

The school board will pull the plug on the program next month.

basic

After years of losses, the company finally pulled the plug.

natural

We were making good progress until the sponsor pulled the plug.

natural

Sometimes, you just have to pull the plug and move on.

natural