GET CAUGHT/BE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG [LEAVE (SOMEONE) HOLDING THE BAG], GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS/BUSINESS/THE NITTY GRITTY, GET IT IN THE NECK: American English Idioms #83

GET CAUGHT/BE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG [LEAVE (SOMEONE) HOLDING THE BAG]

In the context of this idiom, it means to leave someone in a difficult situation without help. The term is a literal interpretation of putting a bag on someone’s wrist or arm and letting them hold it while they walk.

The phrase “to leave someone holding the bag” is often used to describe a situation in which someone is left responsible for an undertaking, but without the necessary resources they need to complete it. For example, if I were to assign you with the task of designing a medical procedure, but neglect to provide you with any research or tools, my lack of preparation leaves you holding the bag – i.e., responsible for designing the medical procedure, with no resources.

Literal meaning: to assign responsibility for something to someone
Academic jargon:
The idiom “leave someone holding the bag” is used when an individual is given a task and then abandoned with no help. When this happens, they are left alone to deal with the consequences of their actions without being able to turn back. A person can be left holding a metaphorical or actual bag as a result of being abandoned by the other party, often without any warning.

When someone is left holding the bag, it means they are the only one who will take responsibility for something. It can also be used when someone has to take on more responsibility than what they are originally supposed to do. For example, if a group project gets cancelled, the person in charge of finding a new meeting time may have to deal with contacting everyone individually. The phrase “holding the bag” is often used when people are dealing with difficult or unpleasant tasks by themselves.

The idiom leaves someone “holding the bag” is a metaphor indicating that someone has been left to deal with the unpleasant consequences of a decision or action on behalf of others. This expression derives from the common practice of providing a bag to the person whose turn it is to play and then passing around the other bags, which can be quickly shuffled and dealt out in different combinations, allowing for one player to take multiple turns without anyone else noticing which bag is theirs.

GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS/BUSINESS/THE NITTY GRITTY

Nitty-gritty is a slang term that can be traced back to the 18th century. Originally, the term was meant to refer to the “dirty” or “low-down” parts of something. In the 1930s, it developed a meaning related to important details and more specifically, getting down to work at a job.

The phrase “get down to the nitty gritty” is often used in academic circles to refer to getting into the deep, specific details of a topic. It’s typically reserved for more rigorous subjects, where it is necessary to get past the superficial aspects and get into real, critical analysis.

To get down to the nitty gritty of this issue, you need to first understand the general principles behind modern economics.

Nitty-gritty is a slang term that means “the important and necessary parts of something”. The phrase is often used in the context of talking about getting to the heart or root of a problem. For example, “The company’s focus was not on the nitty-gritty details, but rather on the big picture.

This idiom means to address fundamental or basic issues.

The term is said to be derived from the act of cleaning either with water, soap, and scrubbing; or using harsh chemicals. The act of cleaning up can also refer to addressing an issue in a more straightforward fashion, especially when involving the use of language that may be considered too formal or highbrow.

To “get down to the nitty-gritty” is to deal with an issue as it comes up, as opposed to the more vague and generalized perspective. At the end of a class, I usually ask my students what they found difficult and we go over it. This is called getting down to the nitty-gritty.

GET IT IN THE NECK

A person who is getting it in the neck is being attacked or criticized. The idiom can also be used to describe a person who is being scolded for something they did wrong. Although the term “get it in the neck” has been around for a while, it has not always been said with negative connotations and was used to express approval and appreciation to someone who had mastered an art like painting or singing.

Idiom: get it in the neck
This idiom refers to an action which is done by someone who deserves either to be given severe criticism or punishment. It comes from the act of necking, which involves kissing or sucking on one another’s neck. This should not be confused with other acts involving the neck, such as choking someone, for this would result in a much more physical and serious consequence.

The idiom “get it in the neck” is a colloquial expression that has been recorded since 1825 and denotes an idea of punishment or humiliation. The exact meaning of the phrase can be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, it can mean to get hit on the neck with a physical object such as a stick, bat, or hammer. It can also refer to something like getting verbally abused by someone with strong words.

This is a popular term used to describe the feeling of being reproached, criticised or punished. It can also refer to a physical blow or injury. In some cases it can be as simple as a criticism from a colleague that leads to an unpleasant experience as one feels looked down upon.

The term “get it in the neck” refers to a retaliation or punishment. It means that someone is going to be punished for something they have done or not done. This retribution is often severe and can involve physical violence such as a punch, hit, or attack.

The phrase “Get it in the neck” is most likely an idiom that means being reprimanded or scolded. It may also mean being frightened, as to have someone’s neck close to your throat. However, there is no definitive answer on what this idiomatic expression means because there are no official sources to confirm any theory.