in the lurch

in the lurch
adverb
in a difficult or vulnerable position
-

he resigned and left me in the lurch

Usage Domain: ↑idiom, ↑idiomatic expression, ↑phrasal idiom, ↑set phrase, ↑phrase

* * *

adverb (or adjective)
1. obsolete : in a defenseless position : at a disadvantage

he took me in the lurch — Thomas D'Urfey

2. : in a vulnerable, difficult, or embarrassing position without support — used with leave

at the peak of the noonday rush the cashier stalked out and left him in the lurch

the United States cannot … leave the British in the lurch in their struggle against this exhibition of nationalism — Neal Stanford


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • in the lurch —    Someone who is left in the lurch is left in a difficult or embarrassing situation.     Paul was left in the lurch when he missed the last bus …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • in the lurch — If you are left in the lurch, you are suddenly left in an embarrassing or tricky situation …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • in the lurch — facing a problem alone, holding the bag    True friends won t leave you in the lurch, will they? …   English idioms

  • in the lurch — See: LEAVE IN THE LURCH …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • in the lurch — See: LEAVE IN THE LURCH …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • in\ the\ lurch — See: leave in the lurch …   Словарь американских идиом

  • To leave one in the lurch — Lurch Lurch, n. [OF. lourche name of a game; as adj., deceived, embarrassed.] 1. An old game played with dice and counters; a variety of the game of tables. [1913 Webster] 2. A double score in cribbage for the winner when his adversary has been… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • leave someone in the lurch — LEAVE IN TROUBLE, let down, leave stranded, leave high and dry, abandon, desert. → leave * * * leave someone in the lurch To leave someone in a difficult situation without help • • • Main Entry: ↑lurch * * * leave someone in the lurch phrase to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • leave in the lurch — leave (someone) in the lurch see ↑lurch, 3 • • • Main Entry: ↑leave leave (someone) in the lurch : to leave someone without help or protection when it is needed His advisers left him in the lurch when he needed them the most. • • • …   Useful english dictionary

  • leave someone in the lurch — leave (someone) in the lurch to cause someone to be in a situation in which they do not have what they need. Her ex husband didn t want to deal with the kids, so she was left in the lurch. Factories here that rely on parts from overseas were… …   New idioms dictionary

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