Leave someone high and dry是什麼意思

"Leave someone high and dry" is an English idiom that means to abandon or fail someone at a critical moment, when they are most in need of help or support. The phrase suggests that the person has been left in a difficult or perilous situation, with no means of help or escape.

The origin of this idiom is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to date back to the 19th century. One theory is that it comes from the practice of stranding ships by leaving them high up on a beach or riverbank, where they would be unable to float or move. Another theory suggests that it may have originated in the context of leaving someone stranded in a boat that has run aground, with no water to float it.

Here are a few examples of how this idiom might be used in a sentence:

"I was counting on my friend to help me move, but he ended up leaving me high and dry." "The company promised to provide us with the necessary resources, but they left us high and dry when we needed them most." "After the hurricane, many residents were left high and dry, with no electricity or running water."

This idiom is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, and it conveys a sense of disappointment or betrayal at being let down by someone or something that was relied upon.