carry the can
Take the fall
To carry the can is to take blame or responsibility for something, especially when others were equally or more culpable.
British in origin, the phrase suggests being left holding evidence of wrongdoing: When the project failed, the junior manager carried the can while the executives walked away clean.
Often used with "left to": She was left to carry the can for the whole department's mistakes.
Unfairly blamed person
- fall guyOne blamed for others
- patsyEasily deceived victim
- faultImperfection or blame
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
finger-pointing · incrimination · accusation · reproach · censure · criticism · condemnation · discredit
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- repercussionIndirect result of action
fallout · aftermath · reckoning · accountability · answer for · face the music · pay the price
Responsibility one bears
- weightMeasure of heaviness
- loadCarried weight or burden
- encumbranceHindrance or legal claim
- responsibilityState of being answerable
obligation · liability · duty · charge · pressure · strain · stress · heavy lifting
scapegoat
Unfairly blamed person
culpability · finger-pointing · incrimination · accusation · reproach · censure · criticism · condemnation · discredit · disgrace
punishment
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
repercussion · fallout · aftermath · reckoning · accountability · answer for · face the music · pay the price
onus
Responsibility one bears
- weightMeasure of heaviness
- loadCarried weight or burden
- encumbranceHindrance or legal claim
responsibility · obligation · liability · duty · charge · pressure · strain · stress · heavy lifting · dirty work
carry the canpass the buck
Transfer responsibility elsewhere
duck out · wriggle out · wash one's hands of · dodge · shirk
carry the canpass the buck
Transfer responsibility elsewhere
shift the blame · point the finger · scapegoat · name and shame · finger-pointing
carry, carries, carried, carrying, carrier, carriers, carriage, carriages, cans