LEAVE HOLDING THE BAG

v. phr. , informal 1. To cause (someone) not to have something needed; leave without anything, In the rush for seats, Joe was left holding the bag. 2. To force (someone) to take the whole responsibility or blame for something that others should share. When the ball hit the glass, the team scattered and left George holding the bag. After the party, the other girls on the clean-up committee went away with their dates, and left Mary holding the bag.