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carry the can

Idioms  
  1. 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]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Once again the Royal Free's A&E is being left to carry the can for another agency.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2025

In addition, he says he was angered that European allies were not doing enough financially to help the beleaguered country, leaving the United States to carry the can.

From Washington Post • Nov. 11, 2019

“And those responsible for this failure should carry the can for this as much as the perpetrators of hate themselves,” Ouseley said.

From The Guardian • Dec. 15, 2018

Hamburg coach Markus Gisdol called the broadcasting issues “a catastrophe for football. The fan has to carry the can for everything.”

From Washington Times • Sep. 9, 2017

London's second opera company, which is rebounding from a huge deficit in the 2011-2012 season, is counting on popular productions like this to fill seats and carry the can for more esoteric offerings.

From Reuters • Oct. 25, 2013

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