couper l'herbe sous le pied

Literally: to cut the grass from under the foot.

• IPA^(key): /ku.pe l‿ɛʁ.b(ə) su lə pje/

couper l'herbe sous le pied

1. (transitive with à) To beat to the punch, cut the ground from under someone's feet

   J'allais le dire, mais tu m'as coupé l'herbe sous le pied.

   I was about to say it, but you beat me to it.

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