Meaning of high and dry | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Left out of water, stranded on a beach, or in the stocks for repair, or in dry dock.
   not-comparable
2. Abandoned, stranded, helpless.
   idiomatic, not-comparable
3. 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, idiomatic, not-comparable
4. With no condiments.
   US, idiomatic, not-comparable, slang

Examples

“"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."”

CEFR level