out from under

Idioms  

1. Free from difficulties, especially from a burden of debts or work. For example, They've been using credit cards for everything and don't know how they'll get out from under, or We have loads of mail to answer, but we'll soon get out from under. This idiom uses under in the sense of “in a position of subjection.” [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

Peeking out from under the staircase is a Lalanne sheep sculpture, set to be auctioned in June with an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Discovery out from under Netflix, which had an agreed deal in place since early December to acquire that company’s streaming and studio operations.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

In earlier experiments, the researchers studied young adults by suddenly destabilizing them, essentially pulling a rug out from under their feet.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2026

Indonesian rescuers have called off the search for victims of a landslide at the country's largest open landfill after pulling seven bodies out from under debris, an official said Tuesday.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

With the other, she yanked the page where Ivy was drawing out from under Ivy’s pen.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix