# pulling the plug

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pulling-the-plug
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

passive euthanasia

## Examples

- The doctors are pulling the plug on the patient today.
- After the medical team confirmed there was no hope for recovery, the family decided it was time to pull the plug.
- Following weeks of agonizing deliberation over the patient's irreversible condition, the family finally authorized the hospital staff to pull the plug.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.