left holding the bag
CulturalExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yasushi Mieno External link was left holding the bag when the 1980s bubble economy imploded.
From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025
If a bubble does pop, we’ll all be left holding the bag.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025
“Yet, somehow we’re left holding the bag when neighbors or constituents or stakeholders are upset about a project.”
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025
"In other words, co-defendants and co-conspirators may be left holding the bag," Goodman writes.
From Salon • Apr. 25, 2024
"Yes," retorted Neil, "and thousands of people who are too old to get fresh insurance at any price, and who will have paid for years, will be left holding the bag."
From Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford by Chester, George Randolph
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
