escape the responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'escape the responsibility' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to talk about someone avoiding the consequences of their actions or failing to fulfill an obligation. For example: "He attempted to escape the responsibility for the accident by blaming it on someone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The report prominently displayed this quote from Abraham Lincoln: "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today".

The New York Times

921, 923, 88 L.Ed. 1192; 'we cannot escape the responsibility of making our own examination of the record,' Spano v. New York, 360 U.S. 315, 316, 79 S.Ct.

Cornell University

"No one -- not the United Nations, not the international community, not Africa's leaders -- can escape the responsibility for the persistence of these conflicts," Mr. Annan said.

The New York Times

That was the sentiment of Henry IV, whose cutup son, Hal, eventually bucked up to step up and become Henry V. How does the younger Mr. Levai, who not so long ago was playing basketball for the Browning School, then studying art history at Marymount Manhattan College, escape the responsibility of the insurance, the shipping, the critics and all the curatorial conversations?

The New York Times

He turned the discussion to the historical generalities of racial oppression of which his accuser had certainly had at least as much experience as he had and was allowed to escape the responsibility of meeting the particular accusations of sexual oppression.

The New Yorker

He turned the discussion to the historical generalities of racial oppression — of which his accuser had certainly had at least as much experience as he had — and was allowed to escape the responsibility of meeting the particular accusations of sexual oppression.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But if you wanted to escape the responsibilities of owning a house, there were few other options.

The New York Times

For Persson, the founder most closely responsible for the early development of the game, the deal represents a chance to escape the responsibilities of managing a global phenomenon.

The Guardian - Tech

So living sub specie aeternitatis, far from being a way to escape the responsibilities of life in this world, is actually a way to imbue life with a meaning that will outlast it.

Huffington Post

Getting lost in a new book (a real, honest-to-goodness, hard copy book) and escaping the responsibilities of adulting for a short time would be amazing.

Huffington Post

Guests escape the mundane responsibilities of their own households to occupy a liminal space designed for comfort and ease.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using synonyms like "evade accountability" or "shirk responsibility" for a more nuanced tone.

Common error

Don't use "escape the responsibility" when someone is merely delegating a task. The phrase implies an attempt to avoid consequences, not simply transferring duties to another person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "escape the responsibility" functions as a verb phrase that typically acts as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates an action of avoiding accountability. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "escape the responsibility" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the act of avoiding accountability for a duty, task, or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in English writing. While not overly formal, it’s frequently encountered in news and media, with supporting contexts from academia and science. Related phrases like "shirk responsibility" or "evade accountability" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the desired tone. Be mindful to use it when there is a real intent of shirking consequences, instead of simple task delegation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shirk responsibility

Implies actively avoiding a duty or task.

evade accountability

Focuses on avoiding being held answerable for one's actions.

dodge the obligation

Suggests cleverly avoiding a required action or duty.

avoid the onus

Highlights avoiding a burden or unpleasant task.

sidestep the duty

Implies skillfully avoiding a responsibility.

neglect responsibility

Suggests a failure to properly handle one's duties.

disclaim liability

Legally refuse to accept responsibility.

renege on obligation

Failing to fulfill a promise or responsibility.

abdicate responsibility

Formally relinquish a duty or power.

decline to take responsibility

Directly refusing to accept accountability.

FAQs

How can I use "escape the responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "escape the responsibility" to describe someone trying to avoid the consequences of their actions, such as "The company tried to escape the responsibility for the environmental damage caused by the oil spill".

What's a formal alternative to "escape the responsibility"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "evade accountability" or "abdicate responsibility". These alternatives are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it always negative to "escape the responsibility"?

Yes, "escape the responsibility" generally carries a negative connotation. It implies an attempt to avoid blame or consequences for something that one is accountable for. There are no positive uses of the expression.

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

While both phrases imply a desire not to be accountable, "escape the responsibility" suggests a more active and determined effort to evade consequences, whereas "avoid the responsibility" can mean a simple desire to not deal with something.