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3. carry the can

carry the can

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carry the can

  (British & Australian)

to take the blame or responsibility for something that is wrong or has not succeeded (often + for ) She suspected that she'd be left to carry the can for her boss's mistakes.

See also: can, carry

carry the can

Take responsibility or accept blame, as in Joan felt she was always carrying the can for her boss's errors. [Slang; second half of 1900s]

See also: can, carry