twist in the wind

(leave someone to) twist in the wind

1. to keep someone waiting for a decision or answer. Carolyn was left twisting in the wind for about a week, and so were several other people who interviewed for the job.

2. to be forced to exist without support or help. Some workers were fired and left to twist in the wind after many years on the job. People know she's ambitious and are afraid she might leave the company twisting in the wind if a better job came along.

See also: twist, wind