escape blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "escape blame" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to avoid or be exempt from being blamed for something. Example: Despite his mistakes, he always manages to escape blame and come out looking like the hero.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Lansley does not escape blame.

The Guardian

Hamas cannot escape blame either.

The Guardian - Opinion

Obama, though, can't escape blame altogether.

The New Yorker

Goldman Sachs does not escape blame.

The Guardian

But Obama and the White House cannot escape blame.

The New Yorker

"You can escape blame by assigning it to someone else".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

But nobody escapes blame.

The Economist

The Kenyan government has also not escaped blame.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The only person escaping blame," one source explained, "is the President himself".

The New Yorker

Politicians are uninspiring, with most parties run by tycoons who escaped blame for economic mismanagement.

The Economist

Despite his central role, Parsons largely escaped blame for the merger.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "escape blame" when you want to emphasize that someone successfully avoided being held responsible for something, often through cleverness or circumstance. For instance, "The politician managed to "escape blame" for the scandal due to a well-timed distraction."

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone's ability to "escape blame" implies innocence. The phrase simply means they avoided responsibility, not necessarily that they were not involved or at fault.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "escape blame" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of avoiding or evading responsibility or censure. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase is both grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "escape blame" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes the act of avoiding responsibility or censure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase suitable for various contexts, though primarily found in news and media sources. While alternatives like "evade blame" or "avoid blame" exist, "escape blame" distinctly emphasizes the successful evasion of imminent blame. When using "escape blame", ensure the context clearly indicates the avoidance of responsibility, and avoid assuming it implies innocence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evade blame

Emphasizes skillful avoidance of blame, suggesting a deliberate act to sidestep responsibility.

avoid blame

Suggests taking actions to prevent being blamed in the first place, focusing on proactive measures.

shirk responsibility

Focuses on neglecting or abandoning one's duties to avoid potential blame or negative consequences.

dodge accountability

Implies a skillful or evasive maneuver to avoid being held responsible for something.

evade responsibility

Highlights the act of actively avoiding responsibility, often implying a lack of integrity.

sidestep culpability

Sidestep means to move to one side to avoid something, culpability means to be deserving blame. Therefore, this alternative highlights the attempt to avoid being found guilty or responsible.

wriggle out of responsibility

Suggests using clever or deceitful tactics to avoid fulfilling a duty or bearing responsibility.

duck responsibility

Implies quickly avoiding or shirking responsibility, often to avoid negative consequences.

get off scot-free

Indicates escaping punishment or blame entirely, usually when deserving of it.

skirt the issue

Focuses on avoiding direct engagement with a problem or topic to avoid potential blame or controversy.

FAQs

How can I use "escape blame" in a sentence?

You can use "escape blame" to describe situations where someone avoids being held responsible for something, as in, "The company used legal loopholes to "escape blame" for the environmental damage."

What's the difference between "escape blame" and "avoid blame"?

"Escape blame" suggests that blame was imminent, but successfully evaded. "Avoid blame", on the other hand, focuses more on taking preventative measures so that blame doesn't arise in the first place.

What can I say instead of "escape blame"?

You can use alternatives like "evade blame", "shirk responsibility", or "dodge accountability" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "escape blame" in formal writing?

Yes, "escape blame" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the specific audience and purpose to ensure the tone is appropriate. In some cases, a more formal synonym like "evade responsibility" may be preferable.