high and dry
high and dry
1. Literally, dry and unaffected by water, typically flood waters. We get some pretty bad storms around here, but the levee has always left us high and dry, thank goodness.
2. In a situation in which one has little chance of escaping or improving. You really left me high and dry when you forgot to pick me up last night. I had no way of calling or getting home! The departure of several key employees has left the business high and dry.
See also: and, dry, high
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
high and dry
Fig. safe; unbothered by difficulties; unscathed. (As if someone or something were safe from a flood. See also leave someone high and dry.) While the riot was going on down on the streets, I was high and dry in my apartment. Liz came out of the argument high and dry.
See also: and, dry, high
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
high and dry
Stranded, as in They walked out on the party, leaving me high and dry. This expression originally alluded to a ship that had run aground or was in dry dock. Its figurative use dates from the late 1800s.
See also: and, dry, high
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
high and dry
1 (especially of ships left stranded by the sea as the tide ebbs) out of the water. 2 in a difficult position, especially without resources. 2 1996 Frank McCourt Angela's Ashes I hear he left you high and dry, eh? I don't know how a man in his right mind can go off and leave a wife and family to starve and shiver in a Limerick winter.
See also: and, dry, high
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
ˌhigh and ˈdry
in a difficult situation without help or money: When the travel company went bankrupt, many holidaymakers were left high and dry abroad or waiting at the airport.This expression refers to boats left on the beach after the level of the sea has fallen.
See also: and, dry, high
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
high and dry
mod. abandoned; unsupported. (Like a ship beached or stranded ashore.) Here I sit high and dry—no food, no money, no nothing.
See also: and, dry, high
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
high and dry
1. In a position of helplessness; stranded: went off and left me high and dry.
2. Nautical Out of water. Used of a ship, for example.
See also: and, dry, high
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
high and dry
Stranded. Originally this expression alluded quite literally to a ship that had run aground or was in dry dock. By the late nineteenth century it had begun to be used figuratively. See also out on a limb. John Galsworthy still was referring to the nautical source in Castles in Spain (1927): “A true work of art remains beautiful and living, though an ebb tide of fashion may leave it for the moment high and dry.”
See also: and, dry, high
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- leave (one) high and dry
- leave high and dry
- leave someone high and dry
- dry-as-dust
- (as) dry as dust
- dry as dust
- dry up
- Dry up!
- bone dry
- be as dry as a bone