- Meaning
- This idiom describes abandoning someone in a difficult or vulnerable situation, leaving them without help, as if deserted in a precarious ‘lurch’ or predicament. It conveys betrayal or neglect, often used in personal, professional, or social contexts to critique unreliability. The phrase carries a tone of disappointment, blame, or urgency, reflecting cultural values of loyalty and the human tendency to let others down. Its archaic imagery evokes a sudden abandonment, resonating in scenarios like broken promises or emergencies. The idiom condemns desertion, making it a sharp metaphor for unreliability.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in 16th-century England, tied to the French game ‘lourche,’ where a player was left disadvantaged, as noted in gaming records. Its metaphorical use emerged in the 17th century, with Francis Bacon’s essays (1625) using it for abandonment. The idiom gained traction in 19th-century literature, notably in Charlotte Brontë’s *Shirley* (1849). Its spread was amplified by journalism, with *The Guardian* using it for political betrayals. Its adoption across English-speaking cultures stems from its vivid imagery and relevance to loyalty breaches.
- Variants
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- Left in the lurch
- Leave them in the lurch
- In the lurch
- Examples
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- He left his team in the lurch, quitting before the deadline.
- Left in the lurch, she had to finish the project alone.
- Don’t leave them in the lurch during this crisis.
- In the lurch, they were stranded when the sponsor backed out.
- Leaving her in the lurch, he skipped the crucial meeting.
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