【high】 and 【dry】 —

1. (of a stranded ship) cast on the shore:

• The small Mexican brig which had been cast away in a south-easter … now lay up, 【high】 and 【dry】 .

2. in a helpless or abandoned position:

• Millions of old people were left 【high】 and 【dry】 during periods of economic decline.

3. (U.S. diners) a plain sandwich without butter, mayonnaise, or lettuce:

• Keep your kids’ sandwiches 【high】 and 【dry】 . Pack the filling and the bread in separate baggies for easy lunchroom assembly.

Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase home and 【dry】 —(UK coll.) definitely safe or successful:

• The governments will not be home and 【dry】 until they have completed the ratification process.

【high-dried】 —(of fish, etc.) deprived of most of its moisture by drying:

• There were brown beers made by a new type of brown malt known as “ 【high】 dried malt.”

Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase cut and dried—(of a decision, arrangement, etc.) completely decided; fixed beforehand:

• Assuming that everything was now cut and dried, I talked to Richard but he said he was still unsure about committing himself.