hang out to dry
Leave without support
To hang someone out to dry is to abandon them when they need support, especially after involving them in something that went wrong.
The image is of laundry left exposed—vulnerable and forgotten: When the scandal broke, the company hung him out to dry.
The phrase implies betrayal by those who should have provided cover or assistance.
Betray someone's trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- abandonLeave behind permanently
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
thrown under the bus · betrayed · set up · blamed · sacrificed · deserted · disowned · turned on
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- helplessUnable to act independently
- strandedLeft without means to leave
at risk · endangered · unsupported · alone · precarious · compromised · isolated · uncovered
Completely abandoned or discarded
- neglectedNot given proper attention
- discardedGotten rid of
- left behindAbandoned or forgotten
- maroonedLeft stranded and helpless
cast aside · forgotten · ignored · dropped · ditched · dumped · left in the lurch · shunned
backstab
Betray someone's trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- abandonLeave behind permanently
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
scapegoat · thrown under the bus · betrayed · set up · blamed · sacrificed · deserted · disowned · turned on · sold out
exposed
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- helplessUnable to act independently
stranded · at risk · endangered · unsupported · alone · precarious · compromised · isolated · uncovered · susceptible
forsaken
Completely abandoned or discarded
- neglectedNot given proper attention
- discardedGotten rid of
- left behindAbandoned or forgotten
marooned · cast aside · forgotten · ignored · dropped · ditched · dumped · left in the lurch · shunned · rejected
- cleanlinessclean, cleanliness, clean up, dirty, neatness
hang out to drystand by
Remain ready to assist
have someone's back · stand up for · support · back up · stick by
hang out to drycover for
Protect by deceiving
shield · protect · fall on one's sword · shelter · safeguard
hang out to drytake the blame
cover for · fall on one's sword · take responsibility · take the heat
hang, hangs, hanging, hanger, hangers, outing, outings, drying, dryers