noun
lurch
A difficult position without needed help.
When my ride cancels, I am left in the lurch.
Etymology
An older gaming term for a severe disadvantage or defeat underlies in the lurch. The expression broadened to being left in difficulty without the help one needs.
More examples
- Her sudden resignation leaves the whole team in the lurch.
- Please don't leave me in the lurch with all these bills.
- The canceled bus left us in the lurch miles from home.
Forms
lurch
Similar words
- predicament
- A difficult situation, not necessarily caused by missing help.
- bind
- An awkward situation that restricts available choices or solutions.