eschew responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The term 'eschew responsibility' is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It means to refuse or avoid taking on a responsibility, and can be used in any situation where one is declining an offer or request for help. For example, "Although I was asked to take on the project, I decided to eschew responsibility and allow someone else to do it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In a land where so many "responsible" leaders eschew responsibility, Lisa has gone out of her way to assume responsibility and try to make a difference.

The New York Times

In a dense paragraph (screenshot below) setting out its fifth reason for reaching the conclusion that Uber drivers are working for Uber as drivers, the tribunal articulates the Kafka-esque logic deployed by the company to try to eschew responsibility for being the employer of a very large workforce — concluding that: "The absurdity of  these propositions speaks for itself".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The party might have been excused if it had simply eschewed responsibility for what was happening.

The Guardian

What a film it might make: the guitar genius who gambled all he earned, eschewed responsibility, preferred caravans to mansions, lived only for the moment and never stopped innovating.

The Guardian - Music

He offered an uplifting message of reform, strength, and mostly joie de vivre that not only eschewed responsibility for creating a functioning government, but also did not ultimately need one to be in place.

Huffington Post

That meant he had to eschew any responsibility.

The Guardian

I'd like to eschew all responsibility for being physically calamitous, but worryingly, it seems more and more people believe all accidents involve a guilty party.

The Guardian - Opinion

Which was their great existential error of judgement, as they sought to eschew editorial responsibility while simultaneously working to dominate and crush traditional media outlets which do operate within a more tightly regulated environment (and, at least in some instances, have a civic mission to truthfully inform).

TechCrunch

With epic chutzpah, he has eschewed all responsibility for the recession.

The Economist

Such eschewing of responsibility could be regarded as a running theme.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

First, by pointing to culture and traditions, advocates allow states to easily eschew their responsibilities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eschew responsibility" when you want to convey a deliberate and conscious decision to avoid or reject a duty, obligation, or accountability. It adds a formal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "eschew responsibility" in casual conversation or informal writing. The word "eschew" carries a formal connotation, so using simpler terms like "avoid" or "decline" is more appropriate in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eschew responsibility" functions as a verb phrase, where "eschew" is the verb indicating the action of deliberately avoiding, and "responsibility" is the noun, representing the duty or obligation being avoided. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eschew responsibility" is a grammatically correct and valid phrase that means to deliberately avoid or reject a duty or obligation. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it is relatively uncommon and carries a formal tone, making it more suitable for professional or news contexts. Related phrases include "sidestep responsibility" and "reject responsibility", offering similar but nuanced alternatives. When using this phrase, consider your audience and the level of formality required to ensure your message is effectively conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Eschew accountability

Focuses specifically on avoiding being held accountable for actions or outcomes.

Reject responsibility

Implies a firm and direct refusal to accept responsibility.

Sidestep responsibility

Emphasizes avoiding direct engagement with a responsibility, often through clever maneuvering.

Shun responsibility

Highlights a deliberate and often public avoidance of responsibility.

Forgo responsibility

Indicates a conscious decision to relinquish a responsibility.

Shirk responsibility

Suggests a negligent or lazy avoidance of duty.

Renounce responsibility

Suggests a formal or public declaration of rejecting a responsibility.

Evade responsibility

Focuses on skillfully avoiding something; implies elusiveness.

Circumvent responsibility

Implies using indirect or deceptive methods to avoid a responsibility.

Escape responsibility

Focuses on getting free from or avoiding something undesirable.

FAQs

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

You can use "eschew responsibility" to indicate a deliberate avoidance of duty, as in, "The company chose to "eschew responsibility" for the environmental damage caused by the project."

What does "eschew responsibility" mean?

"Eschew responsibility" means to deliberately avoid or reject taking on a duty, obligation, or accountability.

Which is a better alternative to "eschew responsibility": "avoid responsibility" or "accept responsibility"?

The better alternative depends on the intended meaning. If you want to convey avoiding duty, use ""avoid responsibility"". If you mean to take on duty, use ""accept responsibility"".

What are some synonyms for "eschew responsibility"?

Some synonyms for "eschew responsibility" include "shirk responsibility", ""avoid responsibility"", and "decline responsibility".