as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
the inadequate supplies of vaccine left many people high and dry when the flu season arrived
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Recent Examples of high and dry
The Silicon Valley giant — along with Google’s YouTube and other social media apps — may stand to benefit if a law banning TikTok from the United States takes effect on Sunday, leaving TikTok’s 170 million monthly U.S. users high and dry.
—
Mike Isaac, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
But her wife ended up leaving her and left her high and dry.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
The Cowboys have been left high and dry after mismanaging their RB room, all while Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb continue to try to make ends meet.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2025
President-elect Trump repeatedly blamed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for water unavailability, after efforts to fill massive storage tanks left fire hydrants high and dry.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Mike Isaac, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
But her wife ended up leaving her and left her high and dry.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
The Cowboys have been left high and dry after mismanaging their RB room, all while Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb continue to try to make ends meet.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2025
President-elect Trump repeatedly blamed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for water unavailability, after efforts to fill massive storage tanks left fire hydrants high and dry.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry
Adjective
-
Many parents are left feeling helpless—a common experience among pop-parenting adherents.—
Gail Cornwall,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2025
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Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider was helpless to stop his former teammate, falling to the ice as Perron beat Detroit goalie Alex Lyon gloveside.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Allen survived but was left permanently paralyzed, according to police.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2025
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According to the release, any savings from ending this type of care will go to supporting paralyzed veterans and amputees.—
Jaden Amos,
Axios,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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However, a weaker dollar, resulting from tariffs and other policies, makes that harder for exporters.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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After seven episodes of pained teeth-gritting and wide-eyed astonishment, he’s found closure in confronting the man who killed his father (or not) and finding only a weak old guy too sickly to punch.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The police department’s insufficient and incompetent investigation cannot stand.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
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After almost a year of being declared incompetent, her trial began in April 2023.—
Miguel Torres,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“High and dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high%20and%20dry. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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