Click below to listen to the phrase.
Choose the correct definition a, b or c.
a) to let someone down
Well done ! That’s the right answer.
If someone or something leaves you high and dry, they leave you in a difficult situation which you are unable to do anything about.
Another similar expression is to ‘leave someone in a bind’.
French translation
laisser quelqu’un pour compte, laisser quelqu’un le bec dans l’eau
How NOT to translate : *laisser quelqu’un haut et sec
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Examples in context
‘Cracks in the system : how consumers are left high and dry with defective apartments
Poor business culture, poor capacity to carry out construction work and poor regulatory oversight in parts of the building industry have made buying an apartment a lottery for many purchasers in Sydney, a report published by UNSW Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has found.
In a systematic review of strata schemes registered over a 10-year period, researchers from UNSW’s City Futures Research Centre and UTS found that defects are commonplace and often poorly documented.’
TexchXplore, 14 Oct. 2021
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‘Naini Lake boatmen left high and dry after heavy rain wrecks havoc
Forty per cent of total boats have suffered damages. Though not completely shattered, the damages have forced the boatmen to repair the boats to be prepared for tourist season post Diwali.
DEHRADUN : Disastrous rains apart from engulfing 79 lives and wrecking havoc on infrastructure last month have left boat makers, boatmen of Naini Lake in Nainital town and high and dry.
Forty per cent of total boats have suffered damages. Though not completely shattered, the damages have forced the boatmen to repair the boats to be prepared for tourist season post Diwali.’
The New Indian Express, 5 Nov. 2021
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Everyday usage
My car broke down again yesterday and left me high and dry on the way to an important meeting.
The departure of several key employees has left the business high and dry.
EnglishTonic and Claramedia, 4 Dec. 2021
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