# leave someone holding the baby

idiom

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

## Meaning

To abandon someone and put them in a position where they must take the responsibility or blame.

## Examples

- My partner quit and left me holding the baby.
- When the manager resigned suddenly, he left his assistant holding the baby for the failed project.
- The senior partners retreated to their vacation homes, effectively leaving the junior associates holding the baby for the company's massive legal errors.

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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.