couper l'herbe sous le pied

French

Etymology

Literally, “to cut the grass from under the foot”.

Pronunciation

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

Verb

couper l’herbe sous le pied

1. to beat to the punch, cut the ground from under someone's feet [with à ‘someone’]

   Synonym: devancer

   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.