“Abandon someone in their hour of need” is a variation of the idiomatic expression “desert someone in their hour of need,” meaning to leave or neglect someone at a time when they are facing significant hardship or require help. This phrase emphasizes the emotional impact of abandonment, as it often conveys betrayal, neglect, and a lack of compassion during a critical time. It implies that the person being abandoned is left to face their challenges alone, without support or assistance, when they need it the most. The phrase typically implies a moral failing or lack of loyalty.
Sample Sentences:
- He couldn’t believe that his closest friend abandoned him in his hour of need, leaving him to face the crisis alone.
- When she was going through a personal tragedy, it was devastating to see how her colleagues abandoned her in her hour of need.
- The company abandoned its workers in their hour of need by refusing to offer help during the layoffs.
- His partner abandoned him in his hour of need, choosing to walk away instead of supporting him through the difficult time.
- It was heartbreaking to see how quickly they abandoned her in her hour of need, even though she had always been there for them.
- She felt betrayed when her family abandoned her in her hour of need, just when she was struggling to make ends meet.
- The decision to abandon someone in their hour of need can cause irreparable damage to a relationship.
- The community seemed to abandon its vulnerable members in their hour of need, leaving them to fend for themselves.
- His so-called friends abandoned him in his hour of need, not offering a single word of comfort or help.
- She was left devastated when her long-time business partner abandoned her in her hour of need during the financial crisis.
Synonyms:
- Desert
- Forsake
- Leave in the lurch
- Neglect
- Turn one’s back on
- Abandon
- Reject
- Walk away from
- Give up on
- Let down
Antonyms:
- Support
- Assist
- Stand by
- Help
- Comfort
- Back up
- Stick with
- Stay loyal
- Be there for
- Offer a hand
Phrasal Verbs:
- Leave in the lurch (to abandon someone when they need help the most)
- Walk away from (to abandon a person or situation, especially in times of difficulty)
- Let down (to fail to support or help someone when they need it)
- Turn one’s back on (to reject or abandon someone, especially in a time of need)
- Give up on (to stop offering help or support to someone)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- Leave someone high and dry (to abandon someone in a difficult situation)
- Wash one’s hands of (to disown or abandon responsibility, especially in times of need)
- Turn your back on (to betray or abandon someone, especially when they are vulnerable)
- Drop the ball (to fail to meet responsibilities, especially when someone needs help)
- Leave someone holding the bag (to leave someone to handle a difficult situation alone)
- Abandon ship (to leave a difficult situation without staying to help)
- Cut and run (to leave or abandon a situation suddenly when it becomes difficult)
- Turn a cold shoulder (to ignore or reject someone when they are in need of help)
- Give someone the cold shoulder (to neglect or dismiss someone during a tough time)
- Leave someone to fend for themselves (to abandon someone to deal with a situation on their own)