lurch

To be left or abandoned without assistance in a particularly awkward, difficult, or troublesome situation. (Sometimes written as "left in a lurch.") I'll really be left in the lurch if the manager decides to quit before this project is finished. Janet was left in a lurch organizing her kid's birthday party when her husband decided to go on a weekend getaway with his friends.

Fig. to leave someone waiting for or anticipating your actions. Where were you, John? You really left me in the lurch. I didn't mean to leave you in the lurch. I thought we had canceled our meeting.

to sway or turn quickly toward someone or something. Todd lurched at the door and got it open just as the guard saw him. Bill lurched toward the ship's rail and hung on.

to jerk or sway forward. The car lurched forward and shook us around. When the train lurched forward, we were pushed back into our seats.

to cause someone to be in a situation in which they do not have what they need Her ex-husband didn't want to deal with the kids, so she was left in the lurch. Factories here that rely on parts from overseas were suddenly left in the lurch when imports were suspended.

to leave someone at a time when they need you to stay and help them I hope they can find someone to replace me at work. I don't want to leave them in the lurch.

Abandon or desert someone in difficult straits. For example, Jane was angry enough to quit without giving notice, leaving her boss in the lurch. This expression alludes to a 16th-century French dice game, lourche, where to incur a lurch meant to be far behind the other players. It later was used in cribbage and other games, as well as being used in its present figurative sense by about 1600.

In a difficult or embarrassing position.