When we say that someone has been "left in a lurch," we mean that they have been abandoned or put in a difficult situation without any support or assistance. This phrase can be used to describe various scenarios, such as being left without a job or a place to stay, or being abandoned in the middle of a project or task. Some common synonyms for "left in a lurch" include "left high and dry," "abandoned," "deserted," "forsaken," or "betrayed." These words all imply a sense of betrayal or abandonment, and they can be used interchangeably with "left in a lurch" to describe situations where someone has been let down or left without any help.