falling on sword

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falling on one's sword" is a commonly used expression in written English.
It usually means to accept responsibility and blame for something, often as an act of honor. You could use it in a sentence like this: "Rather than have his team take the blame, the CEO chose to fall on his sword and take the heat for the mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nonetheless, one by one, the officials humbled themselves, a stylized falling on swords not often seen outside of samurai movies.

The New York Times

Arthur Brisbane: My hat's off to Tom Jolly for falling on his sword on this one.

The New York Times

Tenet was gone by early 2004, loyally falling on his sword.

The Washington Post

I just think he didn't think it was worth falling on the sword".

The New York Times - Magazine

But he shows no sign of falling on his sword soon.

The Economist

It's not quite falling on my sword, more like leaning gently on a butter knife.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Now falling on your sword, that is much more difficult, Mr. Kiev added.

The New York Times

Later it emerged Thiam would not be falling on his sword after all.

The Guardian - Business

The latter, well, it left him not only bawling on the court but falling on the sword afterward.

The Washington Post

He doesn't think he's to blame – but he's falling on his sword anyway.

BBC

He is the boss – it's only right he's falling on his sword this time.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "falling on sword" when you want to convey a sense of honor or self-sacrifice in accepting blame or responsibility. It's particularly effective when someone takes the fall for a team or organization.

Common error

Avoid using "falling on sword" for minor errors or situations where the consequences are minimal. The idiom implies a significant sacrifice or career-ending decision.

Linguistic Context

The idiom "falling on sword" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an act of taking responsibility for failure, often with a sense of self-sacrifice. Ludwig AI identifies its usage across various contexts, highlighting its role in describing situations where someone accepts the consequences of their actions or those of others.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "falling on sword" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of accepting responsibility for a failure or wrongdoing, often with a sense of self-sacrifice or honor. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and although examples are lacking, it's usage spans various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. While the phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, it's essential to use it appropriately, considering the weight of the consequences implied. Alternatives like "taking the blame" or "accepting responsibility" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking the fall

Suggests being a scapegoat or accepting consequences for others.

taking the blame

Focuses on accepting responsibility for an error or failure.

accepting responsibility

Highlights the act of acknowledging accountability.

resigning in disgrace

Emphasizes the shameful aspect of leaving a position.

sacrificing oneself

Highlights the element of self-sacrifice for a greater cause or to protect others.

tendering resignation

A more formal way of saying resigning, often implying a serious reason.

offering one's resignation

Similar to tendering resignation, but slightly less formal.

stepping down

A general term for resigning from a position.

leaving office

Focuses on the act of departing from a position of authority.

shouldering the burden

Implies accepting a difficult or unpleasant responsibility.

FAQs

How to use "falling on sword" in a sentence?

The phrase "falling on sword" is used to describe someone who accepts blame and responsibility, often to protect others. For example, "The CEO decided to "take the fall" and save his team from public scrutiny by falling on his sword".

What does it mean to "fall on your sword"?

To "fall on your sword" means to take responsibility for a failure or mistake, often resulting in significant personal consequences, such as resignation or demotion. It implies a sense of honor and self-sacrifice.

Which is correct, "falling on sword" or "falling on the sword"?

Both "falling on sword" and "falling on the sword" are correct, although "falling on sword" is more common. The inclusion of "the" doesn't significantly alter the meaning.

What can I say instead of "falling on sword"?

You can use alternatives like "take the blame", "accept responsibility", or "resign in disgrace" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.