take the fall

/tˈeɪk ðə fˈɔːl/

to take the fall

to take the blame for another person's actions or accept full responsibility for a crime or wrongdoing that other people were also part of

to [take] the fall definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "take the fall" and when to use it?

The idiom "take the fall" is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, primarily in American English. The phrase likely emerged within the context of criminal or legal settings, where individuals would take responsibility or accept blame for crimes committed by others. It is commonly employed in discussions related to legal matters, criminal activities, and situations involving accountability.

Examples

1. Walt and Tony pulled the job off together, but Tony took the fall.

2. Maybe Alice was taking the fall for it.

3. I mean Daisy Buchanan was driving the car, but Gatsby chose to take the fall for her.

4. She's gonna have to take the fall for this.

Nearby words

be all fingers and thumbs

bag of bones

make hay while the sun shine

like a bump on a log

high on the hog

have a roving eye