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high and dry

adjective

1
: being out of reach of the current or tide or out of the water
2
: being in a helpless or abandoned position

Examples of high and dry in a Sentence

the inadequate supplies of vaccine left many people high and dry when the flu season arrived
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But now, thanks in part to Howard, some seem convinced the Nick Saban disciple could be enticed to take another offer and leave Texas high and dry. Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025 Who will sink such millions if flattery from some foreign leader might prompt tariff reductions that would leave new investment here high and dry? Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 2 Nov. 2025 That leaves her high and dry, at the mercy of MI5 and the Dogs, but gives Farouk and his cohort Kamal a chance to position themselves at a church for maximum impact. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025 But when the government cancels a lease, the landlords are left high and dry. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for high and dry

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of high and dry was in 1727

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“High and dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high%20and%20dry. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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