“Leave high and dry” is an idiomatic expression that means to abandon someone or something in a difficult or hopeless situation without any help or support. The phrase evokes the image of a ship left stranded on a shore, high above the waterline, unable to return to the sea. It suggests a situation where someone is left to face challenges alone or is suddenly abandoned in a precarious state, often unexpectedly or without any warning. It can also imply a sense of betrayal or neglect, as the person is left without resources or assistance.
Sample Sentences:
- After all the promises, he was left high and dry when the project fell through.
- They abandoned me high and dry, leaving me to manage the event on my own.
- The team left him high and dry after they decided to focus on their own careers.
- He felt left high and dry when the company went bankrupt, leaving him without a job.
- She was left high and dry without any guidance or support during the crisis.
- The business partners left him high and dry when they suddenly pulled out of the deal.
- After promising to help, she left him high and dry in the middle of the argument.
- He felt high and dry when his friends didn’t show up for his important presentation.
- The company left the employees high and dry after the sudden layoffs.
- When the storm hit, they left the travelers high and dry at the remote station.
Synonyms:
- Abandon
- Desert
- Forsake
- Leave in the lurch
- Leave stranded
- Leave without support
- Leave helpless
- Leave stuck
- Neglect
- Drop (someone)
Antonyms:
- Support
- Assist
- Help
- Stand by
- Stay with
- Help out
- Aid
- Provide for
- Stick with
- Be there for
Phrasal Verbs:
- Leave behind (to abandon someone or something in a difficult situation)
- Leave out in the cold (to exclude someone or leave them unsupported)
- Bail out (to rescue someone from a tough situation)
- Let down (to fail to support or help when needed)
- Drop out of (to abandon involvement in something, leaving others behind)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- Leave someone in the lurch (to abandon someone when they need help)
- Leave holding the bag (to abandon someone with a problem or responsibility)
- Turn your back on (to abandon someone or something)
- Wash your hands of (to end involvement or responsibility, leaving someone to handle it)
- Turn tail and run (to flee from a situation, leaving others behind)
- Let someone down (to fail to live up to expectations, often leaving them stranded)
- Desert someone (to abandon someone, especially when they are in need)
- Cast someone adrift (to leave someone to fend for themselves, especially in a difficult situation)
