hang somebody out to dry

hang (one) out to dry

To desert one in a troubling situation. He says he's my friend, but then he totally hung me out to dry in that meeting! Not one word of support as the boss tore into me! We really hung our goalie out to dry—that's how the other team was able to score five goals in the first 10 minutes. You said you'd help me put the kids' toys together, but then you hung me out to dry on Christmas Eve! I had to do everything by myself—where were you?

See also: dry, hang, out, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hang somebody out to ˈdry

(American English, informal) leave somebody in a difficult situation without your support, especially to avoid receiving any blame yourself: It was his own party who hung him out to dry for losing the election.

See also: dry, hang, out, somebody, to

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