eat the charge - Get stuck with the blame for a stupid crime that ends up get

Get stuck with the blame for a stupid crime that ends up getting you in big trouble with the cops.

I ate the charge because my buddy decided to rob a convenience store and forgot to bring a mask.

She ate the charge after her dog bit a mailman and the mailman filed a complaint.

He ate the charge because he tried to fake a parking ticket and got caught by the police camera.