be left holding the bag



Like this video? Subscribe to our free daily email and get a new idiom video every day!

be left holding the bag

To have responsibility or guilt for something foisted upon oneself; to take the blame for something. Primarily heard in US. My partner had been cooking the books for years, but I was left holding the bag when the business collapsed.
See also: bag, holding, left

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Bleda-History
EasterEES-tərEnglish
Luken-Basque
Beniamino-Italian
Maksymilianmahk-si-MEEL-yahnPolish
ÉLoÏSee-lo-EEZFrench