accept the blame for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accept the blame for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone acknowledges responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing. Example: "After the project failed, the manager decided to accept the blame for the oversight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Cameron is foolish to accept the blame for closing them.

The Guardian - Opinion

I accept the blame for that, but I would do it again," he said.

The Washington Post

"I can't sit here and do anything but accept the blame for my actions.

The New York Times - Sports

He refuses to accept the blame for anything and brazenly ignores all criticism.

The Guardian

I guarantee you, because none of them can accept the blame for what they failed to do".

The New Yorker

But the leadership seemed to many in the newsroom not to accept the blame for Mr. Blair.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Rauch (3-2) accepthe the blame for letting the Mets' lead evaporate in the eighth.

The New York Times - Sports

But he accepted the blame for misreading a fly ball in the fourth.

The New York Times - Sports

"The police, the soldiers accepted the blame for what happened and we have to go after our rights.

The Guardian - Sport

Gove, who is due to answer questions in the Commons tomorrow, has personally accepted the blame for the botched handling of the school rebuilding programme cuts.

The Guardian

The new chief executive Peter Salsbury, who took up his post in February, readily accepted the blame for the company's recent mistakes.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accept the blame for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific action or situation the blame is being accepted for. Vague statements can lead to confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "accept the blame for" without clearly specifying what the blame is for. For example, instead of saying "He accepted the blame", specify "He accepted the blame for the project's failure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept the blame for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of acknowledging and taking responsibility for a fault or error. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts where individuals or entities publicly acknowledge their role in negative events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "accept the blame for" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies acknowledging responsibility for a fault or error. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify what the blame is being accepted for to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "take responsibility for" or "own up to", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take responsibility for

A more direct and assertive way of acknowledging fault.

shoulder the blame

Implies bearing the burden of responsibility.

own up to

An informal way to admit fault or responsibility.

admit fault for

Focuses on the admission of being at fault.

acknowledge responsibility for

A formal way of accepting accountability.

take the heat for

Suggests facing criticism or consequences.

be held accountable for

Highlights being answerable for one's actions.

face the music for

An idiomatic way of saying to accept the consequences.

bear the responsibility for

Emphasizes the weight of responsibility.

answer for

To be called upon to explain or justify one's actions.

FAQs

How can I use "accept the blame for" in a sentence?

You can use "accept the blame for" to indicate that someone is taking responsibility for a mistake or negative outcome. For example, "The CEO decided to "take responsibility for" the company's losses and "accept the blame for" the failed product launch".

What's a formal alternative to "accept the blame for"?

A more formal alternative is "acknowledge responsibility for". This phrase is suitable for professional or official contexts.

What can I say instead of "accept the blame for" in an informal context?

In informal contexts, you could use phrases like "own up to" or "take the heat for" which are more casual.

Is it better to "accept the blame for" or "share the blame for"?

Whether to "accept the blame for" or "share the blame for" depends on the situation. If one person is solely responsible, "accepting the blame for" it is appropriate. If multiple parties contributed to the issue, "sharing the blame for" it is more accurate.