How to Pronounce "be left holding the baby"
expression
bee LEFT HOHLD-ing thuh BAY-bee
bee LEFT HOHLD-ing thuh BAY-bee
Definition
To be left with the blame, responsibility, or problem after others have avoided it or disappeared, often unfairly.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈbi/, /bi/ /ˈɫɛft/ /ˈhoʊɫdɪŋ/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈbeɪbi
British English
bˈiː/ /lˈɛft/ /hˈəʊldɪŋ/ /ðə, ði/ /bˈeɪbi
Simplified Pronunciation
US
bee LEFT HOHLD-ing thuh BAY-bee
UK
bee LEFT HOHLD-ing thuh BAY-bee
Listen in Context
When the project failed, I was left holding the baby.
She did all the work, but he was left holding the baby.
Don’t leave me holding the baby if things go wrong.
Everyone disappeared at the last minute, and I was left holding the baby again.