leave in the lurch
/liːv ɪn ðə lɜːrtʃ/
Meaning
To 'leave someone in the lurch' means to abandon or desert them in a difficult, awkward, or helpless situation, especially when they were relying on your assistance. It carries a strong negative connotation, implying selfishness, unreliability, or betrayal. The tone is conversational and often critical.
Examples
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My business partner quit without warning, leaving me completely in the lurch.
My business partner quit without warning, leaving me completely in the lurch.
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Don't worry, I won't leave you in the lurch with all this paperwork.
Don't worry, I won't leave you in the lurch with all this paperwork.
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When the babysitter canceled at the last minute, it left us in the lurch.
When the babysitter canceled at the last minute, it left us in the lurch.
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He promised to help me move, but he stood me up and left me in the lurch.
He promised to help me move, but he stood me up and left me in the lurch.
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The company went bankrupt overnight, leaving hundreds of suppliers in the lurch.
The company went bankrupt overnight, leaving hundreds of suppliers in the lurch.
Common Mistakes
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✗ She walked out of the project and left us on the lurch.
✓ She walked out of the project and left us in the lurch.
The idiom is strictly 'in the lurch,' not 'on' or 'at.'
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✗ The sudden cancellation left the team in a lurch.
✓ The sudden cancellation left the team in the lurch.
This is a fixed idiom that always uses the definite article 'the.'
Related Expressions
Practice
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When her co-worker called in sick, she was ___ with all the customers.
💡 abandoned in a tough spot
Show answer
left in the lurch
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I need you to promise that you won't ___ if things get difficult.
💡 abandon me in a difficult situation
Show answer
leave me in the lurch