avoid the onus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid the onus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the desire to prevent responsibility or burden from falling on someone or oneself. Example: "In negotiations, it's important to structure the agreement in a way that avoids the onus of liability on either party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If they can avoid the onus being on them to take action then they will".

The Guardian

Jeffrey Holmstead, former EPA assistant administrator for Air and Radiation under George W. Bush, acknowledged that some companies strive to avoid the onus of New Source Review.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The result is a game in which directors both claim to be telling the truth and yet avoid judgment; the onus of moral judgments is displaced from directors to viewers, even as, in the selection of facts to show, the directors have stacked the decks.

The New Yorker

Mr. Brahimi has thus far avoided putting the onus on the Syrian government, as the far superior military force, to stop the killing, as Mr. Annan demanded.

The New York Times

Tellingly, the DGB proposal avoids placing the onus on Germany to take a leadership role in addressing the crisis in Europe's uneven development (other than for Germany to initiate a wealth tax for others to emulate).

The Guardian - Opinion

Exchanges avoid the distortions of price controls and put the onus on individuals, rather than government, to decide how to ration their health care.Start on a limited scale, by replacing civil-service health insurance with vouchers.

The Economist

The agency ultimately gave it a black box warning, which puts the onus on surgeons to either avoid the device or warn patients of this possible outcome.

Huffington Post

The explanatory video said Kane drove Stoner "dangerously into the glass" Sunday and the onus was entirely on Kane "to avoid the check completely or, at the very least, minimize contact.

Los Angeles Times

The onus was on Baghdad, of course, but while travelling in Europe late in February Annan urged the European Union and nato allies to "lower the decibels, avoid the tendency to turn on each other, and focus on Iraq".

The New Yorker

Bottom line: The onus is on IRA owners to make the most of the rules, while avoiding the traps both those in the law and those custodians create.

Forbes

"While all parties to the conflict – including Afghan national security forces – must do more to uphold their obligations under international law to avoid harm to civilians, the onus is clearly on the Taliban and other anti-government elements to reverse this trend".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "avoid the onus" when you want to emphasize the deliberate act of preventing a burden or obligation from falling on someone. It's suitable in contexts where the responsibility is clear but undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using "avoid the onus" when the responsibility is rightfully someone's. Ensure the context justifies the attempt to evade the burden, otherwise it may imply a lack of accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid the onus" functions as a verb phrase where "avoid" is the verb and "the onus" is the direct object. It indicates an action taken to prevent or escape a responsibility or burden. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting scenarios focused on preventing responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoid the onus" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that means to prevent a responsibility or burden from falling on someone. Ludwig AI confirms this, pointing to its use in contexts where liability is a concern. While relatively infrequent in general usage, as indicated by its rare frequency, it is appropriate in neutral and professional settings. Alternatives include "evade the responsibility", "shirk the duty", and "dodge the burden", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, ensure the context justifies the avoidance of responsibility to avoid implying a lack of accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evade the responsibility

Focuses more directly on escaping responsibility.

deflect the onus

Highlights redirecting the burden onto another party.

shirk the duty

Emphasizes neglecting a moral or legal obligation.

dodge the burden

Highlights the act of skillfully escaping a weight or load.

sidestep the obligation

Suggests a careful maneuver to avoid a requirement.

escape the accountability

Directly addresses the avoidance of being held responsible for actions.

decline the liability

Specifically refers to rejecting legal or financial responsibility.

pass the buck

Implies shifting responsibility onto someone else.

evade the blame

Highlights the avoidance of being blamed for something.

shake off the responsibility

Indicates a forceful rejection of responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid the onus" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid the onus" when you want to indicate an intention to prevent responsibility or burden from falling on someone or oneself. For instance: "The company restructured its operations to "avoid the onus" of environmental regulations".

What are some alternatives to saying "avoid the onus"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "evade the responsibility", "shirk the duty", or "dodge the burden". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "avoid the onus" or "evade the onus"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "evade the onus" emphasizes a skillful or strategic escape from responsibility, while ""avoid the onus"" simply indicates a desire to prevent the burden from occurring.

In what situations is "avoid the onus" most appropriate?

"Avoid the onus" is best used in situations where there is a clear burden or responsibility that one actively tries to prevent, especially when there are legitimate reasons or strategies to do so. For example in business negotiations, legal contexts, or strategic planning.