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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.

Either way, small investors could end up holding the bag.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Taxpayers will inevitably be left holding the bag.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Yasushi Mieno External link was left holding the bag when the 1980s bubble economy imploded.

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

Don’t be holding the bag when they do.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 6, 2025

They all take off, leaving me literally holding the bag.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman