leave someone in the lurch: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘leave someone in the lurch’ mean?
The idiom "leave someone in the lurch" means to abandon or betray someone in a difficult or challenging situation, leaving them without any help or support.
Idiom Explorer
An idiom meaning to betray someone or deceive them dishonestly, often when they least expect it.
The idiom "stab in the back" has a specific meaning and conveys a sense of betrayal or deceit. It is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is betrayed by someone they trust or consider a friend. The phrase implies that the betrayal is unexpected and deeply hurtful.
The idiom "leave the ball in someone's court" means to give someone the responsibility or opportunity to take action or make a decision in a situation, often after one's own efforts or turn has been completed.
The idiom "leave something to be desired" means that something is not as good as it should be or as one would expect it to be.
The idiom "leave someone to their own devices" means to allow someone to do something in their own way, without interference or help from others.
The idiom "leave someone out in the cold" means to exclude or neglect someone, leaving them feeling alone, ignored, or abandoned.
The idiom "leave someone holding the baby" means to leave someone with a difficult or unexpected responsibility that they must deal with on their own.
The idiom "leave someone high and dry" means to abandon or forsake someone in a difficult or helpless situation without any support or assistance.
The idiom "leave it be" means to not interfere or to let something remain as it is without trying to change or fix it.
*Leave it be* is a common idiomatic expression in English that means to refrain from interfering or taking action in a particular situation. It suggests leaving something alone, not making any changes, or allowing things to remain as they are.
The idiom "leave behind" means to forget or not bring something with you when you go somewhere. It can also mean to abandon or neglect someone or something.
The idiom "leave behind" is a well-known phrase in English that has various meanings and uses. Here is a comprehensive analysis of the idiom for a US audience.
The idiom "lay by the heels" means to arrest or capture someone, typically in a forceful manner, by seizing their ankles as a form of restraint.
The idiom "lay by the heels" originates from the early 17th century and has its roots in the world of crime and punishment. It is used to describe the act of apprehending and imprisoning someone, typically with the intention of keeping them detained.
Misguided trust turns to abandonment.
The idiom "leave someone in the lurch" is a commonly used phrase in the English language. It conveys a sense of abandonment or betrayal, as it describes a situation where someone is left in a difficult position without any assistance or support from others. This phrase is related to several other idioms that also express a feeling of being left alone or unsupported.
One related idiom is "leave someone high and dry". This phrase has a similar meaning to "leave someone in the lurch", as it describes leaving someone in a difficult or vulnerable position without any help or support. It implies that the person has been abandoned and left to fend for themselves, much like someone who has been left in the lurch.
Another related idiom is "hang out to dry". This phrase also conveys a sense of abandonment or betrayal, as it describes leaving someone in a difficult or vulnerable position without any assistance or support. It suggests that the person has been left alone to face the consequences of their actions or decisions, much like someone who has been left in the lurch.
Similarly, the idiom "leave someone holding the baby" is related to "leave someone in the lurch". This phrase describes leaving someone to deal with a problem or responsibility that should have been shared or taken care of by someone else. It implies that the person has been left alone to handle a situation without any assistance or support, just like someone who has been left in the lurch.
The idiom "leave someone out in the cold" is also related to "leave someone in the lurch". It conveys a sense of exclusion or neglect, as it describes leaving someone feeling isolated or unsupported. It implies that the person has been left alone and ignored, much like someone who has been left in the lurch.
These related idioms all capture the feeling of being abandoned or let down by others. They describe situations where someone is left in a difficult or vulnerable position without any assistance or support. Whether it's being left high and dry, hung out to dry, left holding the baby, or left out in the cold, these idioms all convey a sense of betrayal and irresponsibility on the part of those who have left someone in the lurch.
The idiom "leave someone in the lurch" has a long history and a well-defined meaning. It originated from the game of cribbage, where "lurch" referred to being left behind with little chance of catching up. Over time, it came to be associated with being left in a disadvantaged or vulnerable position. Today, it is widely used in English to describe situations where someone is abandoned or let down by others. It serves as a reminder of the importance of dependability and support in any relationship or situation.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "leave someone in the lurch" can be used in a sentence:
- She promised to help me move, but then she left me in the lurch on moving day.
- The company suddenly closed down, leaving its employees in the lurch without jobs.
- He relied on his friends to show up at his birthday party, but they all left him in the lurch by not coming.
More "Betrayal" idioms
