twist in the wind
Suffer without support
To twist in the wind is to be left in a state of prolonged uncertainty or public exposure, typically abandoned by those who should provide support.
The image is of someone hanged and left dangling: The administration let him twist in the wind for weeks before finally accepting his resignation.
Often used in political contexts when officials are left to face criticism alone.
- abandonLeave behind permanently
- betrayViolate a trust
- leave someone in the lurchDesert in difficulty
- left hangingAbandoned without resolution
- exposedOut in open
thrown under the bus · vulnerable · out in the cold · limbo · leave someone holding the bag · dangling · precarious · desert · cut loose · left to rot · forsaken · leave someone high and dry · neglect · helplessness · suspension · scapegoat · hang out to dry · hung out to dry