Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context idiomatic informal sports especially boxing English) To willingly lose a match, as in a fixed fight. 2 (context idiomatic informal English) To bear the blame or punishment for a failure or a misdeed.
Usage examples of "take the fall".
Valerena failed to appreciate a genius that got others to pay the freight and set them up to take the fall.
There were no intermediaries to take the fall for him or for him to hide behind when his appointment with the Sword's justice came around.
A new sense of energy and activity had possessed him ever since he had announced to May the night before that he had business in Boston, and should take the Fall River boat that night and go on to New York the following evening.
Remembering that killer smile of Steve's and the charm he can turn on, I suppose she'll be willing to take the fall all the way.
As a great man once said to Mary Astor, 'Shumbody's got to take the fall.
He'd been set up to take the fall, and he would have played his part to the hilt and to the death if Hunter-of-Outlaws' thorough .