shoulder the consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoulder the consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the responsibility one has to face the results of their actions or decisions. Example: "After making the risky investment, he knew he had to shoulder the consequences if it didn't pay off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Each time a public service is sacrificed, it seems that the government and others assume teachers can shoulder the consequences.

The Guardian

Another calls for corporations and the business sector to "shoulder the consequences of their profit-making activities and to take a visibly more active role in reducing their carbon footprint and other forms of impact upon the natural environment".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Reform would reduce payments to a constituency that recycles settlement money into political contributions: the trial lawyers.Certainly, companies must take responsibility for disclosing the known potential hazards of the products they produce, and for shouldering the consequences when they do not.

The Economist

The PhD student ends up shouldering the consequences; it is (before now) unusual for the professor to be mentioned in relation to the PhD student's unsuccessful completion of the thesis within the contract period.

Science Magazine

When it comes to climate change, with rising sea levels, prolonged droughts and intensified storms, those least responsible for this unfolding environmental disaster are shouldering the consequences of climate change.

Unicef

If outlet impingement syndrome of the shoulder were responsible for the restrictions in the mobility of the thoracic spine it might be expected that with increasing severity of the shoulder condition the consequences for the thoracic spine would become increasingly clear.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

FOR all the high-minded justifications that led to Europe's military intervention in Libya, there has been little political willingness to shoulder the humanitarian consequences of the war.

The New York Times

With respect to the allegation that the Israeli public is to blame for re-electing this man, one would respond that demagogues know how to pull emotional triggers, and while the Israeli public cannot be exempted from responsibility, neither should they shoulder all of the consequences of being so manipulated.

Huffington Post

And as for giving a senior job to Holger Härter, Porsche's once-feted chief financial officer well, the joint-architect with Mr Wiedeking of the attempt to win control of VW must now shoulder the blame for the consequences of its failure.More than two years in the making, the two men's bold plan unravelled in a matter of weeks.

The Economist

Actions or lack thereof have consequences and those who are asked to shoulder the burden of those consequences all too often are the most vulnerable in society.

Huffington Post

"The Israeli government," he added, "shoulders the responsibility for the consequences".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shoulder the consequences" when you want to emphasize the act of willingly or unwillingly bearing the weight of responsibility for the outcome of actions or decisions. It is especially fitting when the consequences are significant or burdensome.

Common error

Avoid using "shoulder the consequences" when the subject is not directly or indirectly responsible for the actions that led to the consequences. Ensure there's a clear link between the actor and the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoulder the consequences" functions as a verb phrase where "shoulder" acts as a verb meaning to bear or accept, and "consequences" is the noun representing the results of an action. Ludwig indicates its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shoulder the consequences" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys the act of accepting responsibility for the results of actions or decisions. Ludwig's analysis and examples highlight its appropriateness in various contexts, especially where the consequences are burdensome. Although not exceedingly common, its usage is well-established across news media, science, and business communications. While alternatives like "face the music" or "take responsibility" exist, "shoulder the consequences" uniquely emphasizes the weight and burden associated with accountability. The phrase appears infrequently. Pay attention to potential misattribution of responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear the burden

Focuses on the weight or difficulty of the responsibility.

face the music

An idiomatic expression emphasizing confronting the negative outcomes.

take responsibility

Highlights the act of accepting accountability for the consequences.

accept the repercussions

Emphasizes the negative effects that follow an action or decision.

endure the fallout

Focuses on the unpleasant or destructive effects resulting from an event or action.

suffer the consequences

Highlights the negative impact and suffering caused by the consequences.

deal with the aftermath

Focuses on managing the situation after an event and the resulting issues.

be held accountable

Emphasizes the obligation to answer for the consequences.

own the outcome

Highlights the act of acknowledging and taking ownership of the results.

stomach the outcome

Suggests tolerating or accepting an unpleasant result or consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "shoulder the consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "shoulder the consequences" to indicate that someone must bear the responsibility for the results of their actions, such as, "The company must "shoulder the consequences" of its environmental damage."

What does it mean to "shoulder the consequences"?

To "shoulder the consequences" means to accept responsibility for the outcome of an action or decision, often implying that the consequences are burdensome or negative.

What are some alternatives to "shoulder the consequences"?

Some alternatives to "shoulder the consequences" include "face the repercussions", "bear the burden", or "take responsibility".

Is it better to say "shoulder the consequences" or "face the consequences"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "shoulder the consequences" implies a heavier burden and a sense of responsibility, whereas "face the consequences" simply means to confront the results, without necessarily accepting blame. Depending on context, one might be more appropriate than the other.