hold the sack
hold the sack
To bear the responsibility or burden of dealing with or suffering the consequences of an undesirable situation, especially due to a lack of accountability from others. Because the bank was considered too large to fail, the government was left holding the sack when its value plummeted during the economic crash. Unfortunately, small businesses are going to be the ones holding the sack if this agriculture bill is passed. The CEO vanished when the police started investigating our questionable investment activity, and I was left holding the sack!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
hold the sack
bear an unwelcome responsibility. North AmericanFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
References in classic literature
Many a holder of a second mortgage has been left to
hold the sack. You must remember that the first mortgage comes in for the first claim after taxes, and if the foreclosure doesn't bring enough to satisfy more than that, the second mortgage is sleeping on its rights."
Yer da'll hoy the coals in", (You
hold the sack and your dad will shovel the coals in) says one of his father's friends whom the young Gary was visiting in Cramlington.
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