carry the can






carry the can

take responsibility for a mistake or misdeed - British informal

The origin of this expression and the nature of the can involved are both uncertain, though the idiom appears to have started life as early 20th-century naval or military slang.

1998 - Times - Was this the same Mr. Cook who danced on the Tories' graves for not carrying the can for errors of their officials?


Related Idioms :


carry the day

be victorious or successful

The sense of day used here is the day's work on the field of battle.




carry the can :






carry the can To HOME PAGE


Idioms Index – Previous Page




Related Links : carry the can