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Difference between Hang someone out to dry and Leave someone hanging

hang someone out to dry—(coll.) not support or help smb.; abandon a person when he is in trouble:

  • I made a mistake that made a customer very angry and my boss really hung me out to dry!

leave someone hanging —(coll.) keep smb. waiting for a decision or answer:

  • When Amal had to leave for work, he left his exciting story unfinished. We were frustrated that he left us hanging.