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 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.