incriminate yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incriminate yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is trying to shift blame or responsibility for some wrongdoing onto another person. For example, "Don't try to incriminate yourself by blaming me for your mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Why should you not incriminate yourself?

The New York Times

"You don't have to incriminate yourself," he told VICE.

Vice

You have the right under the Fifth Amendment to remain silent and not incriminate yourself.

Huffington Post

You are restricted to answering specific questions, and the less said the better so you don't incriminate yourself.

Huffington Post

They simply exercised a right every citizen of this country possesses; the right not to incriminate yourself.

Huffington Post

No comment, no comment, no comment," she said, "because you have the right to do that, you have the right not to incriminate yourself".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

If there is a way to return the stolen items without incriminating yourself, then do so – perhaps leaving the items in front of the store before it opens or mailing them, with an sorry letter or note.

WikiHow

Dressed in a severe suit and high heels, Ms. Seong did not change her tone, even when Mr. Ko's lawyer, Jack Litman, asked her, "Did you falsely incriminate Edmund Ko to the police to shift the blame away from yourself in the murder of Lynda Hong?" "I plead the Fifth Amendment," she responded.

The New York Times

Don't Incriminate.

The New York Times

Maybe so, but it can also incriminate.

The Economist

"I cannot incriminate, and I won't incriminate," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incriminate yourself" to advise someone against saying or doing something that could provide evidence of their guilt.

Common error

Avoid using "incriminate yourself" when someone else is being incriminated. This phrase is specific to actions or statements that could implicate you.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incriminate yourself" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used in imperative sentences offering advice or warnings, as seen in Ludwig's examples. It describes the action of unintentionally providing evidence against oneself.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

25%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incriminate yourself" is grammatically correct and serves as a warning against actions that might provide self-incriminating evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it carries a neutral to professional tone. Related phrases include "implicate yourself" and "compromise yourself". When using the phrase, remember it applies specifically to actions incriminating oneself, not others. While the phrase is not overly frequent, understanding its proper usage is crucial for clear and accurate communication, especially in legal or advisory contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implicate yourself

This alternative is more formal and suggests a more indirect involvement in wrongdoing.

expose yourself

This alternative means to reveal something about yourself that you intended to keep hidden, often implying vulnerability.

compromise yourself

This alternative suggests damaging your reputation or integrity through your own actions.

give yourself away

This alternative is more conversational and suggests revealing a secret or hidden information unintentionally.

condemn yourself

This alternative implies passing judgment or assigning blame upon oneself through one's own words or actions.

sell yourself out

This alternative suggests betraying your values or principles for personal gain.

dig your own grave

This alternative is idiomatic and suggests creating increasingly difficult problems for oneself.

shoot yourself in the foot

This alternative is idiomatic and suggests unintentionally harming your own interests.

make a confession

This alternative is direct and means to admit to wrongdoing.

reveal your guilt

This alternative focuses on the act of making your guilt known.

FAQs

How is "incriminate yourself" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "incriminate yourself" refers to the act of providing evidence or testimony that could lead to your own conviction for a crime. It's closely tied to the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

What are some synonyms for "incriminate yourself"?

Alternatives include "implicate yourself", "compromise yourself", or "give yourself away", each carrying slightly different connotations related to revealing guilt or damaging one's position.

Is it ever a good idea to "incriminate yourself"?

Generally, no. "Incriminating yourself" can have severe legal consequences. It is advisable to seek legal counsel before making statements that could potentially harm your case.

What's the difference between "incriminate yourself" and "accuse yourself"?

"Incriminate yourself" means to provide evidence that suggests your own guilt, while "accuse yourself" implies directly stating that you are guilty. Accusation is a direct statement, while incrimination is indirect.