pin the blame

USAGE SUMMARY

"pin the blame" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used as an idiom to describe the act of assigning fault or blame to someone. For example, "Rather than taking responsibility for their mistakes, many politicians prefer to pin the blame on someone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Where to pin the blame?

The Guardian - Sport

Why pin the blame on KP?

The Guardian - Sport

Equally typically, it tries to pin the blame elsewhere.

The Economist

Mr Aznar tried to pin the blame on ETA.

The Economist

There is a tendency to pin the blame on others.

The New York Times

But Cruz can't legitimately pin the blame on CNN here.

The Washington Post

If it doesn't get done, pin the blame on others.

The Washington Post

Seems much fairer to pin the blame where it belongs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or maybe we can pin the blame on Thierry Mugler.

The New York Times - Magazine

WHEN things go wrong, it is comforting to pin the blame on bad men.

The Economist

It's easy to pin the blame for the lack of access to credit on unreasonable bankers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pin the blame" when you want to emphasize the act of assigning fault or responsibility, often in situations where there's a desire to avoid taking responsibility oneself.

Common error

While "pin the blame" is common, overuse can sound accusatory or informal in professional writing. Consider alternatives like "attribute responsibility" or "determine the cause" for a more neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pin the blame" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase. It's primarily used to describe the act of assigning fault or responsibility for something, often in a way that suggests avoiding personal accountability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pin the blame" is a commonly used idiom that means to assign responsibility or fault to someone. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media contexts. While grammatically sound, it is key to use it considering the degree of formality required by the context. Consider more formal alternatives such as "attribute the blame" or "assign responsibility" in professional settings to maintain a more neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assign the blame

Similar to "pin the blame", but emphasizes a more formal or deliberate assignment of fault.

place the blame

Indicates a more general act of attributing blame, without necessarily implying a forceful accusation.

lay the blame

Suggests a more passive or indirect attribution of blame, as if placing a burden.

attribute the blame

A more formal alternative that highlights the act of ascribing blame based on evidence or reasoning.

fix the blame

Emphasizes the act of decisively determining who is at fault.

hang the blame

Less common but emphasizes the severity of the blame being assigned.

saddle with blame

Suggests that someone is burdened with the responsibility of the problem.

point the finger

Implies a direct and often accusatory assignment of blame.

hold responsible

Suggests that someone is considered accountable for an action or event.

fasten the guilt

Emphasizes attaching feelings of guilt to a subject.

FAQs

What does "pin the blame" mean?

The phrase "pin the blame" is an idiom that means to assign responsibility or fault for something to someone.

How can I use "pin the blame" in a sentence?

You can use "pin the blame" in a sentence like: "The company tried to "pin the blame" on the intern for the error."

What are some alternatives to "pin the blame"?

Alternatives to "pin the blame" include "assign the blame", "place the blame", or "lay the blame".

Is it appropriate to use "pin the blame" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pin the blame" can sometimes sound accusatory or informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "attribute the blame" or "assign responsibility".