足あしをすくう

expression, godan verb (-u)

trip someone up; pull the rug out from under someone

Idiomatic expression meaning to physically trip someone by sweeping their leg, or figuratively to undermine or thwart someone unexpectedly.

See also: すくう

• 彼かれはわざと相あい手ての足あしをすくって転ころばせた。

  He deliberately tripped his opponent by sweeping his leg.

• 新しん制せい度どが導どう入にゅうされて、我われ々われの計けい画かくは足あしをすくわれた。

  With the introduction of the new system, our plan was pulled out from under us.