Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

high and dry

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.70 in modern English

Syllables: high- and dry
IPA

22

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Left out of water, stranded on a beach, or in the stocks for repair, or in dry dock.

adj

Abandoned, stranded, helpless.

adj

Associated with the high church (the Church of England and other Anglican traditions, in reference to their "high" political position in England and "dry" and austere mode of worship), as opposed to the "low and slow" Evangelical party and the "broad and shallow" Broad Church.

Derogatory

adj

With no condiments.

American usage; Slang

Example Sentences

""There are two recognized parties in the church of England, the old High-and-dry church party, and the so-called Evangelical. To one or other of these two the Anglo-Catholic must conform.""

Usage

Phrases

leave someone high and dry hard-and-fast high and mighty leave to one's own devices

Frequently Paired Words

hard-and-fast high and mighty leave to one's own devices

Synonyms

deserted forsaken abandoned derelict desert desolate discarded dropped forlorn high and dry left behind orphaned

Questions

What does high and dry mean?: Left out of water, stranded on a beach, or in the stocks for repair, or in dry dock.

How to pronounce high and dry

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