leave somebody holding the baby

leave (one) holding the baby

To foist responsibility or guilt for something on one; to allow one to take the blame for something. Primarily heard in UK. My partner had been cooking the books for years, and he left me holding the baby when the business collapsed.See also: baby, holding, leave

leave somebody holding the ˈbaby

(American English also leave somebody holding the ˈbag) (informal) leave somebody to take the responsibility or blame for something: It’s always the same. We all agree to do something, then you all say you’re too busy to arrange it, and I’m left holding the baby. ♢ You two were going to fly off and leave me holding the bag.See also: baby, holding, leave, somebody