leave for dust
To leave or abandon someone alone without helping or caring for them.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He left his friend for dust when the trouble started.”
“She felt betrayed when her partner left her for dust during the difficult financial crisis.”
“Despite their long history of loyalty, he callously left his closest ally for dust the moment his own reputation was at risk.”
- 01
beat the dust
To perform curvets too precipitately or too low.
- 02
bite the dust
To die.
- 03
bust the dust
To clean dust off something, such as with a vacuum cleaner.
- 04
catch dust
To be rarely used.
- 05
collect dust
To remain untouched and unused for a long period of time.
- 06
done and dusted
Completed thoroughly and satisfactorily.
- 07
dust mouse
A dust bunny.
- 08
dust off a batter
for a pitcher to throw a pitch at or near the batter, typically to frighten the batter or to have him stand farther away from home plate.
Last updated August 10, 2026