hang out to dry
Related to hang out to dry: hang around, hang in the balance, hung around, Hanging in the air
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!
See also: dry, hang, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
hang someone out to dry
Fig. to defeat or punish someone. The boss was really angry at Billie. He yelled at him and hung him out to dry.
See also: dry, hang, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
hang out to dry
Abandon someone to danger, as in The squadron withdrew and just let us hang out to dry. This expression alludes to hanging wet laundry on a clothesline. [Slang; 1960s]
See also: dry, hang, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- give (one) (one's) head
- give head
- give somebody their head
- give someone their head
- as one door closes, another (one) opens
- as one door closes, another one opens
- as one door closes, another opens
- drive (one) out of office
- force (one) out of office
- force out of office