put the skids under someone/something

put the skids under (someone or something)

To cause the ruin, failure, or defeat of someone or something. Her frequent absences from work put the skids under any hopes she had of a promotion. The boss accused Theresa of trying to put the skids under him.See also: put, skid

put the skids under someone/something

tv. to cause someone or something to fail. (see also on the skids.) The mayor put the skids under my plan. See also: put, skid, someone, something