Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

carry the can

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.88 in modern English

Syllables: car-ry the -can
IPA

21

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To take responsibility, especially in a challenging situation.

Canadian usage; British usage

Example Sentences

"For Vajpayee, who is keen that he alone does not carry the can for his unwieldy alliance, it is a tough decision."
"You could reasonably argue that Brown himself should carry the can for much of the regulatory failure of the banks."
"They're not going to play the patsy where they carry the can for all the woes caused by a tanking in oil prices that's already happened."

Usage

Canadian usage
British usage

Inflected Forms

carries the can (present, singular) carrying the can (participle, present) carried the can (participle, past) carried the can (past)

Phrases

carry the mail kick at the can kick the can down the road bell the cat take one for the team

Frequently Paired Words

carry the mail kick at the can kick the can down the road bell the cat take one for the team

Synonyms

take the rap face the music

Questions

What does carry the can mean?: To take responsibility, especially in a challenging situation.

How to pronounce carry the can

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “carry the can”.
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