# be left holding the baby

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/be-left-holding-the-baby
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be left with the responsibility of resolving a problem.

## Examples

- My partner quit, so I was left holding the baby.
- When the manager resigned suddenly, the rest of the team was left holding the baby to finish the project on time.
- After the primary investors withdrew their support, the startup founders were left holding the baby, forced to manage the mounting debts alone.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.