holding the bag

== English == === Etymology === Originated in 18th-century Britain, referring to a person left holding stolen goods while the rest of a criminal gang escapes. === Verb === leave someone holding the bag (third-person singular simple present leaves someone holding the bag, present participle leaving someone holding the bag, simple past and past participle left someone holding the bag) (figuratively) To abandon somebody, leaving him or her holding the responsibility or blame. (figuratively) To remove the value from an article or arrangement and leave somebody holding the empty (or valueless) container. ==== Synonyms ==== leave someone in the lurch leave someone holding the baby leave someone high and dry ==== Related terms ==== bagholder ==== Translations ====