shed responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"shed responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express the idea of freeing oneself of an obligation or duty. For example: "My boss is determined to shed responsibility for the project's failures onto me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Yet it shed responsibility for some 700 employees.

The New York Times

First, Israel would shed responsibility for the Palestinian population while retaining strategic control of the territory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The workers do not object in principle, but fear that the contractors are trying to shed responsibility for laid-off and retired employees.

The New York Times

The health secretary Jeremy Hunt has also pointed to Labour's 2004 decision to let GPs shed responsibility for providing care out of hours.

The Guardian

Leaders beget followers; people pin their hopes on one person, and with that they seem to shed responsibility for anything beyond getting that one person into office.

The Guardian - Opinion

They want a new Australian environment act that defines matters of national significance and – after a period in which both major parties have tried to shed responsibility for environmental approvals to the states – asserts the commonwealth's central role in protecting not just threatened species, but the entire landscape.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Many people in Westchester have large homes that aren't designed for aging in place," said William G. Balter, a principal in Wilder Balter Partners of Elmsford, explaining that the 50-something crowd often wants to shed responsibilities.

The New York Times

His latest bookCitizens DisUnited: the Corporate Capture of the American Dream examines the corporate takeover of the United States and explains, in detail, how corporations seized more and more power while shedding responsibility to their country, their customers, their workers, and their shareholders.

Huffington Post

Mr. Trump eventually granted the western easement and allowed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to build a stairwell, but shed his responsibility for the other entryway.

The New York Times

And not only would I prefer to shed this responsibility, but think of the wave of creativity and entrepreneurship that would be unleashed if people weren't tied to crummy jobs just to get insurance.

The New York Times

The Fish and Wildlife Service would love to shed the responsibility of protecting large carnivores, like the wolf and the grizzly bear, and hunters and ranchers throughout the Rocky Mountains would love to see wolves eradicated all over again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shed responsibility" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of relinquishing a duty or obligation. Be mindful of the context to ensure it doesn't imply a lack of accountability where it's crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "shed responsibility" if the intention is to temporarily delegate a task rather than permanently remove oneself from the obligation. Ensure the context clarifies whether the responsibility is fully or partially relinquished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shed responsibility" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of relinquishing or divesting oneself of a duty or obligation. It is used to describe a deliberate action of freeing oneself from a burden or task. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shed responsibility" is a phrase used to describe the act of relinquishing or divesting oneself of a duty or obligation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. While it appears most frequently in news and media, its neutral-to-professional register makes it suitable for formal communications. When using this phrase, consider its implications and ensure the context clarifies the extent to which the responsibility is being relinquished. Alternatives like "relinquish accountability" or "outsource tasks" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relinquish accountability

Focuses on formally giving up accountability.

evade duties

Emphasizes the act of avoiding one's duties.

dodge obligations

Highlights the attempt to skillfully avoid obligations.

abdicate control

Implies a formal renunciation of control and its associated responsibilities.

pass the buck

Suggests shifting responsibility to someone else.

devolve authority

Indicates a transfer of authority and the burdens that come with it.

renounce obligations

Implies a formal rejection of duties and responsibilities.

outsource tasks

Indicates giving responsibilities to an external entity.

farm out duties

Suggests delegating tasks to others, often externally.

sidestep accountability

Highlights the act of maneuvering around accountability.

FAQs

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

You can use "shed responsibility" to indicate a deliberate act of relinquishing a duty or obligation. For instance, "The company decided to "shed responsibility" for the project's maintenance."

What are some alternatives to "shed responsibility"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "relinquish accountability", "evade duties", or "outsource tasks".

Is it appropriate to use "shed responsibility" in formal writing?

Yes, "shed responsibility" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news, media, and business contexts. However, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and whether a more formal alternative like "relinquish accountability" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "shed responsibility" and "delegate responsibility"?

"Shed responsibility" implies a complete removal of obligation, while "delegate responsibility" means assigning a task to someone else while retaining ultimate accountability. If you want to convey the complete removal of obligation, "shed responsibility" is what you are looking for, otherwise use "delegate responsibility".