leave someone holding the bag
Desert with consequences
To leave someone holding the bag is to abandon them with responsibility for a problem or blame for a failure, especially when others who share the fault have escaped consequences.
The image is of accomplices fleeing while one person is caught with the evidence: When the scheme collapsed, the executives fled the country and left investors holding the bag.
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
- dupedDeceived into believing
- consequencesResults of actions taken
- victimOne harmed by another
- cut and runAbandon situation hastily
abandoned · left in the dark · blame · deceive · bamboozle · hoodwinked · pass the buck · shift the blame · incriminate · throw under the bus · fraudulence · stuck · bail out on · carry the can · backstab · stab in the back · double-cross · snake in the grass
leave someone holding the bagtake responsibility
Accept fault for outcomes
own up · take the fall · step up · stand together · face the music
leave someone holding the baghave someone's back
Offer reliable support
stick together · ride or die · stand together · stay true · rally around
leave someone holding the bagstand up and be counted
Openly declare one's position
do the right thing · take the heat · man up · take it on the chin · stand and deliver
leaves, leaving, leaver, someone, holding, holder, holders, beholden