drop (something) in (someone's) lap
1. To present one with something unexpectedly. When Steve won the lottery, we suddenly had the chance to travel the world dropped in our laps. If the world drops an opportunity like that in your lap, you take it! You have to go to there for grad school now that they've dropped a fellowship in your lap!
2. To foist some unwanted burden or responsibility on one. The entire project was dropped in my lap after Lydia resigned. Our son dropped his student debt in our laps when he lost his job last year. I hate to drop this in your lap at the last minute, but we need three dozen cupcakes by tomorrow.
dump (something) in (someone's) lap
To foist something onto someone else, usually some task or responsibility. Yep, management dumped that big project in my lap after Lydia resigned. Our son dumped his student debt in our laps when he lost his job last year. I hate to dump this in your lap at the last minute, but we need three dozen cupcakes by tomorrow.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.