the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (intransitive)] > thwart (2)
to cut the grass (from) under a person's feet1572
to cut the grass (from) under a person's feet: to thwart or foil a person, esp. in an unexpected or underhand manner; to undermine a person. Cf. to pu…