THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Leave someone in the lurch
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To leave someone without help at a time when they are depending on you.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Cancelling at the last minute would leave the organisers in the lurch.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
0 of 1 checked correctly
Can you recall the expression?
Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?
To leave someone without help at a time when they are depending on you.
Show the answer
Leave someone in the lurch — To leave someone without help at a time when they are depending on you.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Leave someone in the lurch” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To leave someone without help at a time when they are depending on you.
Compare: Cancelling at the last minute would leave the organisers in the lurch.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
GO DEEPER
More ways to understand and use it
Jump to a section
When to use it
Use it when expected support is withdrawn and someone is left in difficulty. It is conversational and expresses criticism.
More examples in context
- The missing driver left us in the lurch with twenty boxes to deliver.
- I cannot leave my colleague in the lurch on our busiest afternoon.
Usage note
Replace someone with the person affected: “leave me in the lurch.” Use left for the past tense, and keep the before lurch.
A short conversation
A: Can you come out early today?
B: I promised to help close the shop. I do not want to leave Sara in the lurch.
A: We can meet afterwards.
One more practice question
Who leaves a teammate in the lurch?
A. Someone who withdraws promised help at a critical moment.
B. Someone who provides the promised help on time.
Check your answer
A. Withdrawing needed support leaves the teammate in difficulty.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.