skirt responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "skirt responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone avoiding responsibility or escaping blame for something. For example, "The senator tried to skirt responsibility for his involvement in the scandal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was too easy for traders to cash in on short-term gains and skirt responsibility for any time-bombs they had set ticking.Asymmetries wreaked havoc in the vast over-the-counter derivatives market, too, where even large dealing firms lacked the information to determine the consequences of others failing.

The Economist

Critics frustrated with these policies argue that it allows students to skirt responsibility and when a student simply refuses to commit to learning or complete assignments, there's little a teacher can do.

Huffington Post

George Zimmerman himself should not be tried in the court of public opinion, but the public deserves answers to ensure that this son of a judge who's been allowed to skirt responsibility for his actions in the past, isn't being given yet another free ride by one of his father's friends.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The museum skirts responsibility for a colossal flub.

Los Angeles Times

There's something troubling if not pathetic about a head of state skirting responsibility based on a technicality and seeming delighted about it.

Huffington Post

When asked about timetables for withdrawal from Iraq in 2008, and from Afghanistan now, Romney similarly skirts responsibility by admitting that he is going to do what the generals tell him to do.

Huffington Post

It also says Romney killed jobs during his time at Bain Capital and skirted responsibilities to pay taxes, and that Romney plays "the loophole card".

Huffington Post

Lest it appear that outfitters are simply trying to skirt their responsibility to be reasonably safe, liability experts point out that the activities generally requiring these agreements have inherent risks.

The New York Times - Travel

"It's sad that some adult home operators would rather spend their energy and resources finding ways to skirt their responsibility to provide quality service and care to residents, rather than taking appropriate steps to address the violations," Mr. Kenny said.

The New York Times

No educator should be allowed to skirt their responsibility to society, especially when scientists have shown that they can use the money to make the world a better place.

TechCrunch

Despite such actions, there's a feeling that PG&E is also doing whatever it can to skirt full responsibility.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "skirt responsibility", ensure that the context clearly indicates an avoidance of duty rather than a complete abandonment of it. For example, "The company tried to skirt responsibility by offering a minimal settlement".

Common error

Avoid using "skirt responsibility" when the subject completely abdicates their duties. "Skirt" suggests a subtle evasion, not a full relinquishment of responsibility; use "abdicate responsibility" instead for the latter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skirt responsibility" functions as a verb phrase where "skirt" acts as a verb meaning to avoid or go around something, and "responsibility" is the noun representing the duty or obligation being avoided. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "skirt responsibility" is a correct and usable phrase indicating an avoidance of duty or accountability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it commonly appears in news and media contexts. While semantically related to phrases like "evade accountability" or "shirk one's duties", it denotes a subtle evasion rather than complete abandonment. When writing, ensure the context reflects this nuance. Be mindful of the subtle difference between "skirting responsibility" and "skirting around responsibility", as each may impact your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evade accountability

Focuses on avoiding being held accountable, often implying a deliberate attempt to escape scrutiny.

sidestep accountability

Implies cleverly avoiding responsibility, often through indirect actions or justifications.

circumvent responsibility

Suggests using কৌশল or loopholes to avoid fulfilling obligations.

shirk one's duties

Emphasizes neglecting assigned tasks or obligations, highlighting a dereliction of duty.

abdicate responsibility

Signifies a formal or complete relinquishment of duty, often by someone in authority.

evade one's obligations

Highlights the act of escaping duties or commitments, often with negative consequences.

dodge the blame

Directly refers to avoiding being blamed for something, suggesting an attempt to shift responsibility.

neglect one's duties

Implies a careless or unintentional failure to fulfill responsibilities.

duck responsibility

Indicates a quick or abrupt avoidance of duty, often implying a lack of courage.

pass the buck

Involves shifting responsibility to someone else, typically to avoid dealing with a problem.

FAQs

What does it mean to "skirt responsibility"?

To "skirt responsibility" means to avoid taking responsibility for something, often by finding excuses or loopholes. It suggests an attempt to evade blame or duty without fully abandoning it.

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

You might say, "The politician tried to "evade accountability" and "skirt responsibility" for the scandal by blaming his staff".

What are some alternatives to "skirt responsibility"?

Alternatives include "shirk one's duties", "dodge the blame", or "sidestep accountability", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "skirt around responsibility"?

While the core meaning remains similar, "skirt responsibility" is the more common and direct phrasing. "Skirting around" adds a sense of indirectness or prolonged avoidance. The best option will depend on the specific context.