leave in the lurch

verb leave in the lurch

• betray — If you betray someone who loves or trusts you, your actions hurt and disappoint them.
• desert — A desert is a large area of land, usually in a hot region, where there is almost no water, rain, trees, or plants.
• let down — British. a lease.
• leave holding the bag — a container or receptacle of leather, plastic, cloth, paper, etc., capable of being closed at the mouth; pouch.
• abandon — If you abandon a place, thing, or person, you leave the place, thing, or person permanently or for a long time, especially when you should not do so.