The idiom "fall on one’s sword" means to take responsibility for a mistake or failure, even if it means facing severe consequences. It comes from ancient Roman times, where soldiers would fall on their own swords to avoid being captured or killed by the enemy.
In modern times, the phrase is used to describe a situation where someone takes the blame for something that went wrong, even if they were not solely responsible for it. It is often used in a professional or political context, where someone in a position of authority takes responsibility for a mistake made by their team or organization.
For example, if a CEO of a company makes a bad decision that leads to financial losses, they may "fall on their sword" by resigning from their position, even if other members of the company were also involved in the decision-making process.
Overall, "fall on one’s sword" is a powerful idiom that conveys a sense of honor and sacrifice, as well as a willingness to take responsibility for one's actions.
• When the team lost the championship, the coach decided to fall on his sword and resign.
• The politician refused to fall on his sword and instead blamed his staff for the scandal.
• The general chose to fall on his sword rather than surrender to the enemy.
• The lawyer advised his client to fall on his sword and apologize for the crime in order to receive a lighter sentence.
• I don't know what "fall on one's sword" means.
• The CEO decided to fall on his sword and take responsibility for the company's failure.