a chunk of blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a chunk of blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the distribution of responsibility or fault in a situation. Example: "After the project failed, the team leader took a chunk of blame for the oversight in planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For this debacle, David Cameron must take a chunk of blame.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Already there is talk that the government might back down.All lost in the supermarket?A chunk of the blame lies with the main opposition party, the BJP.

The Economist

When I met with the teachers, they acknowledged the problem but put a chunk of the blame on report card limitations.

The New York Times

To be fair, a chunk of the blame goes to Chris Bosh and Wade as well, who looked terribly slow and uncomfortable in Game 1, dominating the ball frequently in half-court possessions and forcing errant jumpers.

Huffington Post

Actually, I find it especially cowardly that Limbaugh would spend a chunk of his show on Monday slinging blame everywhere for Loughner's actions (including heavy metal music, rap music, parents, etc).

Huffington Post

While the rest of the UK is giving a chunk of money to the Scottish Government – he can blame them for the cutbacks.

Independent

Spitzer of course denies the allegation, but you cannot hurt your political standing by crusading against Wall Street at a time when millions of Americans want someone to blame for the evaporation of a chunk of their assets.

The New York Times - Magazine

The black peasants stormed onto the white farmer's land in March, demanding a chunk of the rustling fields of tobacco and sweet corn, and emboldened by President Robert Mugabe, who blames the farmers for the slow pace of land redistribution.

The New York Times

"What a chunk of chopped liver".

The New Yorker

RPX pockets a chunk, of course.

The New York Times

A chunk of the 1950s follows hard on a chunk of the 1970s.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a chunk of blame" when you want to indicate that someone bears a significant, but not necessarily total, responsibility for a negative outcome. For instance, "The manager accepted a chunk of blame for the project's delays."

Common error

Avoid using "a chunk of blame" when someone is entirely responsible. Opt for phrases like "sole responsibility" or "entire blame" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chunk of blame" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a portion or share of responsibility for something negative. Examples from Ludwig show its use in news and media contexts, indicating where responsibility lies for specific failures or problems. It is similar to saying "a portion of responsibility".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a chunk of blame" is a grammatically correct and usable expression used to indicate a significant portion of responsibility for a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples primarily from news and media sources. While not exceedingly common, it is a versatile phrase that fits both formal and informal contexts. Related phrases include "a share of responsibility" and "a degree of culpability", offering varying degrees of formality. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the actual level of responsibility to avoid misattribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a share of responsibility

Focuses on the portion of responsibility rather than fault.

some fault

Simple expression indicating a degree of fault.

a piece of the fault

Emphasizes a portion of the fault or error.

some culpability

More formal and legalistic term for responsibility.

a degree of accountability

Focuses on the obligation to answer for something.

a portion of censure

Highlights criticism or disapproval.

a measure of guilt

Highlights the feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing.

some part in the wrongdoing

Emphasizes the involvement in an incorrect action.

a contribution to the problem

Focuses on the role in creating an issue.

partial liability

Legal term for being partly responsible.

FAQs

How can I use "a chunk of blame" in a sentence?

You can use "a chunk of blame" to indicate that someone bears a significant portion of responsibility for something. For example, "The CEO took "a chunk of blame" for the company's poor performance this quarter".

What's a more formal alternative to "a chunk of blame"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "a share of responsibility" or "a degree of culpability" which convey a similar meaning but with increased formality.

Is it correct to say "a chunk of the blame" or "a chunk of blame"?

Both "a chunk of the blame" and "a chunk of blame" are grammatically correct, but "a chunk of the blame" is generally more common and natural-sounding.

What's the difference between "a chunk of blame" and "full responsibility"?

"A chunk of blame" implies partial responsibility, while "full responsibility" indicates that someone is entirely accountable for the outcome.