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holding the bag

NOUN

responsibility

Synonyms

STRONGEST

authority burden duty guilt importance liability obligation power restraint trust

STRONG

albatross amenability answerability care charge constraint contract culpability encumbrance engagement fault incubus incumbency onus pledge rap subjection

WEAK

boundness obligatoriness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

irresponsibility

STRONG

benefit blessing

WEAK

distrust exemption freedom immaturity immunity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was a complex story about who borrowed, who lent, how risk was packaged, and who was left holding the bag.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

If a bubble does pop, we’ll all be left holding the bag.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

Don’t be holding the bag when they do.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 6, 2025

“Yet, somehow we’re left holding the bag when neighbors or constituents or stakeholders are upset about a project.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

I shoved my hand into my pocket as casually as I could, holding the bag of potatoes in my other arm.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

holding the bag

Example Sentences

Related Words