“Desert someone in their hour of need” is an idiomatic expression that means to abandon or neglect someone at a time when they are facing difficulties or require support. The phrase highlights a sense of betrayal, as it implies that a person is left alone and unsupported when they most need help. It suggests a failure to fulfill a moral or social responsibility, particularly during moments of crisis or emotional distress. The expression conveys a lack of loyalty or compassion during a critical or vulnerable time.
Sample Sentences:
- He felt utterly betrayed when his closest friend deserted him in his hour of need.
- She was left heartbroken when her partner deserted her in her hour of need, just when she needed him the most.
- The company deserted its employees in their hour of need by failing to provide adequate support during the layoffs.
- She couldn’t believe her family deserted her in her hour of need after the tragic loss.
- He was devastated when his business partner deserted him in their hour of need, leaving him to handle the financial crisis alone.
- Deserting someone in their hour of need is one of the most painful betrayals a person can experience.
- He was disappointed to see how his friends deserted him in his hour of need, despite all the support he had given them in the past.
- The community came together, but some of the leaders deserted the cause in its hour of need.
- No one should ever desert their loved ones in their hour of need; that’s when they need you the most.
- She felt isolated when the entire team deserted her in her hour of need, leaving her to deal with the challenges alone.
Synonyms:
- Abandon
- Forsake
- Leave in the lurch
- Desert
- Neglect
- Turn one’s back on
- Fail to support
- 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)