high and dry adv. or
adj. phr. 1. Up above the water; beyond the reach of splashing or waves.
Mary was afraid she had left her towel where the tide would reach it, but she found it high and dry. When the tide went out the boat was high and dry. 2. Without anyone to help; alone and with no help.
When the time came to put up the decorations, Mary was left high and dry. At first the other boys helped, but when the work got hard. Bob found himself high and dry. Compare: LEAVE IN THE LURCH, OUT IN THE COLD.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲