The idiom "carry the can" means to take the blame or responsibility for something, even if it's not entirely your fault. It's often used when someone is unfairly blamed for a mistake or problem that was caused by others.
For example, if a team fails to deliver a project on time, the team leader might "carry the can" and take the blame for the delay, even if it was caused by factors beyond their control.
The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it's thought to come from the practice of carrying a metal container (a "can") filled with water or other supplies. If someone was responsible for carrying the can, they were expected to make sure it was always full and ready for use. If the can was empty or missing, the person carrying it would be blamed.
In everyday conversation, you might use this idiom to describe a situation where someone is unfairly blamed for something. For example, "I feel sorry for John. He had to carry the can for the whole team's mistakes."
• The coach decided to carry the can for the team's poor performance this season.
• The politician was forced to carry the can for the government's failed policy.
• I don't want to carry the can for my sister's mistake.
• After the project failed, the boss was quick to carry the can and take responsibility.
• As the CEO, he knew he had to carry the can for the company's financial losses.
• Despite his innocence, he decided to carry the can for the sake of his team and their reputation.