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to carry the can
01
to be brave and responsible enough to accept all the consequences of one's or others' unpleasant deeds
Dialect
British
BritishIdiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "carry the can" and when to use it?
The idiom "carry the can" has its origins in British slang from the early 20th century. "Can" in this context refers to a container, and carrying it metaphorically signifies taking responsibility or bearing the blame for a particular situation or action. It is used to refer to someone who is held accountable for something, whether it's their fault or not.
Examples
Even though it wasn't entirely his fault, he had to carry the can for the project's failure.
