leave for dead

phrase

: to leave (a person or animal) that one knows will probably die instead of trying to help
They hit the dog with their car and left it for dead on the side of the road.
He had been badly beaten and left for dead.

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Cite this Entry

“Leave for dead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leave%20for%20dead. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

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