carry the blame

USAGE SUMMARY

"carry the blame" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to take responsibility or be held accountable for something negative that has happened. Example: John was the one who caused the accident, but his friend Mark decided to carry the blame for him to protect their friendship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But China cannot carry the blame alone, say experts.

The Guardian - Business

So it is Westminster that has to carry the blame.

The Guardian - Opinion

These companies could logically carry the blame for a massive attack.

The Guardian - Tech

Poll said his error was inexcusable and he should carry the blame: "What I did was an error in law.

The Guardian - Sport

The allegations surfaced early last month, and arguments about who should carry the blame have rippled through the community.

The New York Times

"If there is violence, if there are serious injuries, Premier Jean Charest will have to carry the blame for the rest of his political career," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Employers are by no means alone in carrying the blame for entrenched stereotypes around the role of mothers.

The Guardian - Business

This means that CCGs could end up carrying the blame for closing services on grounds of economic necessity.

The Guardian

The Labour leadership has distanced itself from Ken Livingstone after he provocatively suggested that Tony Blair carried the blame for the 7/7 terrorist attacks in which 52 people died.

Independent

The truth is this: China wrecked the talks, intentionally humiliated Barack Obama, and insisted on an awful "deal" so western leaders would walk away carrying the blame.

The Guardian

The predictable chasing Bedoya endured before Klinsmann withdrew him at half-time felt like a pointless exercise, and even more so when he was left carrying the blame for his coach exposing him in this way.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "carry the blame" when you want to emphasize the act of accepting or being assigned responsibility for a negative outcome, often suggesting a burden or unfairness.

Common error

Avoid using "carry the blame" when the responsibility is clearly shared or lies primarily with someone else. Ensure the person or entity truly bears a significant portion of the responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carry the blame" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of accepting or being burdened with responsibility for something negative. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "carry the blame" signifies accepting or being assigned responsibility for a negative event. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable. Its register is typically neutral, finding frequent usage in News & Media sources. Related phrases include "shoulder the responsibility" and "take the fall". When using this phrase, make sure that the individual or entity genuinely bears the responsibility for the negative outcome. While "carry the blame" and "bear the blame" are interchangeable, "take the fall" implies protecting someone else by accepting blame. Remember, correctly attributing blame is crucial for clear and honest communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get the blame

Highlights receiving blame.

take the fall

Implies accepting blame, often to protect someone else.

be held accountable

Emphasizes being answerable for one's actions and their outcomes.

be blamed for

Passive construction highlighting the attribution of blame.

shoulder the responsibility

Focuses on bearing the weight of responsibility, similar to accepting blame.

own the mistake

Highlights taking ownership and acknowledging an error.

bear the consequences

Highlights the negative outcomes one must endure as a result of their actions.

be responsible

A general term for being the cause or source of something, often negative.

face the music

Refers to confronting the negative repercussions of one's actions.

accept liability

Formally acknowledging legal or moral responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "carry the blame" in a sentence?

You can use "carry the blame" to indicate who is responsible for a negative outcome. For example, "The manager had to "carry the blame" for the team's failure."

What's a more formal way to say "carry the blame"?

More formal alternatives include "be held accountable" or "accept liability".

Which is correct, "carry the blame" or "bear the blame"?

Both ""carry the blame"" and "bear the blame" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on the context and personal preference.

What's the difference between ""carry the blame"" and "take the fall"?

"Carry the blame" generally means accepting responsibility, while "take the fall" implies accepting blame to protect someone else.