dodge responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

'dodge responsibility' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of someone avoiding or shying away from taking responsibility. For example: "The criminal's lawyer tried every way possible to dodge responsibility for his client's actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Are people apathetic in order to dodge responsibility?

The Guardian - Film

The fund said the orchestra owes it $35 million and was trying to dodge responsibility.

The New York Times

Pianka sees these toxic titles as an effort by lenders to dodge responsibility for vacant houses.

The New York Times - Magazine

P25 Editorial: Social media giants cannot continue to dodge responsibility for content.

The Guardian

When sales and earnings started to fall apart, it was easy for managers to dodge responsibility.

The New York Times

You can dodge responsibility and revel in glory you haven't had the faff of actually earning.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Dodging responsibility, not demanding accountability, remains the "Japanese way".

The New York Times

Pearson says Pfleger is dodging responsibility: "That's hogwash.

The Guardian

The Gandhis have dodged responsibility because of the Congress culture of competitive sycophancy.

The Economist

Calling it heroic dodges responsibility and prevents the development of measures for avoiding future disasters.

The New York Times

As chief executives, governors have more trouble dodging responsibility for tough decisions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dodge responsibility", ensure the context clearly indicates who is avoiding what specific responsibility. Providing these details makes your writing more precise and impactful.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, relying excessively on "dodge responsibility" in formal writing can make your tone seem informal. Consider alternatives such as "evade accountability" or "circumvent obligation" for a more professional sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dodge responsibility" functions as a verb phrase where "dodge" is the verb and "responsibility" is the object. It typically describes the action of avoiding or evading accountability. The examples provided by Ludwig show its frequent use in describing actions of individuals or entities trying to avoid consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dodge responsibility" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of avoiding accountability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various reputable sources, especially in News & Media. While appropriate for general use, consider more formal alternatives like "evade accountability" in professional contexts. Remember that while "dodge responsibility" is perfectly correct, clarity is key: make sure to clearly specify who is dodging which specific responsibility to maximize the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass the buck

Signifies transferring responsibility to someone else, often to avoid personal fault.

shift blame

Highlights the act of redirecting responsibility for a fault or error onto another party.

duck accountability

Suggests a quick, evasive movement to avoid being caught or implicated.

evade accountability

Focuses on escaping blame or consequences through cleverness or trickery.

deflect criticism

Focuses on warding off negative feedback or judgment, rather than accepting accountability.

evade duty

Highlights the avoidance of a moral or legal obligation.

shirk duties

Implies neglecting or abandoning assigned tasks or obligations.

avoid blame

Highlights the intention to steer clear of being held responsible for errors or failures.

skirt obligation

Indicates a careful avoidance of fulfilling a required duty.

sidestep commitment

Emphasizes avoiding a pledge or promise, often through indirect means.

FAQs

How can I use "dodge responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "dodge responsibility" to describe someone avoiding accountability for their actions. For instance, "The politician tried to dodge responsibility for the scandal by blaming his staff."

What's a more formal alternative to "dodge responsibility"?

For more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "evade responsibility", "shirk responsibility", or "avoid accountability".

Is it grammatically correct to say "dodging responsibility"?

Yes, "dodging responsibility" is grammatically correct. It's the gerund form, often used as a verb acting as a noun. For example, "Dodging responsibility is not a sustainable strategy."

What's the difference between "dodge responsibility" and "shift blame"?

"Dodge responsibility" implies avoiding accountability, while "shift blame" suggests actively directing responsibility onto someone else. Dodging is passive avoidance; shifting is an active transfer.