hang out to dry

idiom

The phrase "hang out to dry" metaphorically relates to leaving clothes on a line, exposed to the elements, symbolizing abandonment or exposure to consequences.

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Definition

B2General

(informal)To abandon someone in a difficult or vulnerable situation without offering support.

Example

When the project failed, the manager hung him out to dry by blaming him for everything.
She felt hung out to dry when her friends didn't defend her against the accusations.

B2General

(informal)To expose someone to criticism or blame without defending them.

Example

The politician was hung out to dry by his own party after the scandal.
They hung her out to dry by revealing her mistake to everyone.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "hang out to dry":

dry out tumble dry dry off hang with hang one on hang off air out hang about hang out hang ten dry up high and dry wring out come out in the wash dried out hang upon hang up hang on hang around wash out hang behind hung up string up let one's nuts hang hang by the eyelids hang together ring out dried up run dry wash up