leave (one) to twist in the wind
To put one in a very difficult, troublesome, or problematic situation as a result of some action or decision. You really left us to twist in the wind when you decided to take your vacation right before the project's deadline! The government's sudden decision not to continue funding the program has left many residents to twist in the wind.
leave to twist
/leave twisting in the wind To abandon (someone) to a bad situation, often as a recipient of blame: "If our envoy was so blameless, why had she been left to twist in the wind?" (William Safire).