eat the charge - You get the whole mess for a dumb mistake that turns into a

You get the whole mess for a dumb mistake that turns into a real problem with the law.

I ate the charge because I tried to pass a fake $20 and the cashier called the cops.

She ate the charge when her kid threw a tantrum in a restaurant and the manager called the cops.

He ate the charge after he tried to steal a pizza and got caught by the delivery guy.