leave high and dry

leave someone high and dry 

1. Lit. [for water] to recede and leave someone untouched. The waters receded and left us high and dry.

2. Fig. to leave someone unsupported and unable to maneuver; to leave someone helpless. All my workers quit and left me high and dry. All the children ran away and left Billy high and dry to take the blame for the broken window.

3. Fig. to leave someone flat broke. Mrs. Franklin took all the money out of the bank and left Mr. Franklin high and dry. Paying the bills always leaves me high and dry.

See also: and, dry, high, leave

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leave somebody high and dry

to put someone in a very difficult situation which they have no way of making better The stock market crash left us high and dry with debts of over £200 000.

See also: and, dry, high, leave

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leave you high and dry

to leave you alone and without any help We were left high and dry, without any money or credit cards.

See also: and, dry, high, leave