IdiomBody & Senses
German
Germanetwas auf seine Kappe nehmen
Meaning: To accept blame or responsibility for something.
Literally: To take something onto one's cap
Example: “Der Kapitän nahm die Niederlage auf seine Kappe.” — The captain took the rap for the defeat.
English equivalent: To take the rap
Equivalents in other languages
Portuguese: Pagar o pato Literally: To pay the duck
English: take the rap
Origin: Two explanations are given. Lutz Röhrich links the Kappe to the cap worn as part of the official dress of judges and certain officials, so taking something on one's cap is taking official responsibility for it. The 19th-century lexicographer Weigand derived it instead from einem etwas auf die Kappe geben, to give someone blows on the cap. The phrase is recorded from the 18th century.
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