Meaning of the word "leave somebody holding the bag" in English

What does "leave somebody holding the bag" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

leave somebody holding the bag

US /liːv ˈsʌm.bə.di ˈhoʊl.dɪŋ ðə bæɡ/
UK /liːv ˈsʌm.bə.di ˈhəʊl.dɪŋ ðə bæɡ/
"leave somebody holding the bag" picture

Idiom

to leave someone to take all the blame or responsibility for something, especially when others are also responsible

Example:
When the project failed, the manager left me holding the bag, even though it was a team effort.
He always manages to escape trouble and leave someone else holding the bag.