carry the can

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

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Verb

carry the can (third-person singular simple present carries the can, present participle carrying the can, simple past and past participle carried the can)

1. (British, Canada, idiomatic) To take responsibility, especially in a challenging situation.
   • 1998 April 25, Arati R. Jerath, "18 partners hunt for one voice," Indian Express (Bombay) (retrieved 21 Oct 2008):

     For Vajpayee, who is keen that he alone does not carry the can for his unwieldy alliance, it is a tough decision.

   • 2008 October 16, Adrian Hamilton, “Comment: I wouldn't get too carried away by success if I were Brown”, in The Independent, UK, retrieved 21 October 2008:

     You could reasonably argue that Brown himself should carry the can for much of the regulatory failure of the banks.

   • 2015 June 17, Rick Bell, “Alberta NDP government chooses not to kick province's oil industry when it's down”, in Calgary Sun, Canada, retrieved 25 September 2015:

     They're not going to play the patsy where they carry the can for all the woes caused by a tanking in oil prices that's already happened.

Synonyms

• take the rap

See also

• carry the mail
• kick at the can
• kick the can down the road
• bell the cat
• take one for the team