High and dry Meaning in English
expression
ˈhaɪ/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈdɹaɪ
HYE-uhnd-DRYE
hˈaɪ/ /ˈænd/ /dɹˈaɪ
HYE-AND-DRYE
Definition
If someone is left high and dry, they are abandoned or left without help when they need it most.
Usage & Nuances
This idiom is informal and usually describes situations where someone feels abandoned or unsupported. It often appears after 'leave' ('leave someone high and dry'). Not used in a literal sense, but rather emotionally or in difficult situations.
Spanish: abandonado - dejado en la estacadaPortuguese (BR): na mão - desamparadoPortuguese (PT): na mão - desamparadoChinese (Simplified): 孤立无援 - 被抛弃Chinese (Traditional): 孤立無援 - 被遺棄Hindi: अकेला और असहायArabic: متروك لوحده - مهجورBengali: বেকায়দায় ফেলে যাওয়া - একেবারে অসহায় করে ফেলাRussian: в беде - бросить на произвол судьбыJapanese: 困った状況に置く - 困らせるVietnamese: bỏ rơi - để ai đó lâm vào cảnh khó khănKorean: 곤경에 내버려두다 - 버림받게 하다Turkish: ortada bırakmak - çaresiz bırakmakUrdu: تنہا اور بے یار و مددگار چھوڑ دیناIndonesian: meninggalkan dalam kesulitan - membiarkan tak berdaya
Example Sentences
My friends left me high and dry when I needed them most.
basic
He promised to help, but left us high and dry.
basic
If you leave your partner high and dry, they will be hurt.
basic
When my ride didn't show up, I was stuck high and dry in the rain.
natural
The company went bankrupt and left all its workers high and dry.
natural
I can't believe you left me high and dry at the last minute!
natural