'To leave one in the lurch' definitions:

Definition of 'To leave one in the lurch'

From: GCIDE

Lurch \Lurch\, n. [OF. lourche name of a game; as adj., deceived, embarrassed.]
1. An old game played with dice and counters; a variety of the game of tables. [1913 Webster]
2. A double score in cribbage for the winner when his adversary has been left in the lurch. [1913 Webster]
Lady --- has cried her eyes out on losing a lurch. --Walpole. [1913 Webster]
To leave one in the lurch. (a) In the game of cribbage, to leave one's adversary so far behind that the game is won before he has scored thirty-one. (b) To leave one behind; hence, to abandon, or fail to stand by, a person in a difficulty. --Denham. [1913 Webster]
But though thou'rt of a different church, I will not leave thee in the lurch. --Hudibras. [1913 Webster]