take blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone accepts responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing. Example: "After the incident, he decided to take blame for the team's failure to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

I take blame because I wasn't careful.

The New York Times - Magazine

He seemed very eager to protect his brother and take blame for those episodes.

The New Yorker

Both Jackson and Asmussen take blame for the way Rachel Alexandra began training this year.

The New York Times - Sports

I must take blame for at least a significant fraction of the suboptimal design".

The New Yorker

"Well, I don't take credit, but I don't take blame either," she explains.

The Guardian

Each family member seemed to take blame for Sarah's lack, he said.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

He took blame for not doing enough right.

The New York Times - Sports

Why have I taken blame for what I did not comprehend?

The New York Times - Arts

Roy Weaver, the superintendent of the national monument, retired last June after taking blame for the fire.

The New York Times

BP also takes blame away from itself over the "design" of the well.

The Guardian

Ericsson took blame for the outage in a press release.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take blame", ensure the context clearly indicates who is accepting responsibility and for what specific action or event. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "take blame" when responsibility is unclear or when attempting to shift blame to others. Ensure the person taking blame is genuinely responsible for the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take blame" functions as a verb phrase, where "take" acts as a verb indicating the action of assuming responsibility, and "blame" functions as a noun representing the fault or culpability being accepted. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take blame" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the acceptance of responsibility or fault. According to Ludwig AI, it is a usable phrase in written English. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, where accountability is often discussed. While alternatives like "accept responsibility" or "shoulder the blame" exist, "take blame" offers a direct and clear way to convey this meaning. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates who is accepting responsibility and for what specific action or event. Be careful not to incorrectly attribute the blame, shifting it to others when it is not warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take responsibility

A direct synonym, emphasizing the act of assuming accountability.

accept responsibility

Emphasizes the act of acknowledging and being accountable for one's actions.

shoulder the blame

Highlights the burden or weight of responsibility being carried.

bear the responsibility

Similar to "shoulder the blame" but slightly more formal.

assume liability

A more legalistic term for accepting the consequences of one's actions.

admit fault

Focuses on the acknowledgement of making a mistake.

own up to

An informal way of saying one is accepting responsibility for something.

face the music

An idiomatic expression for accepting the consequences of one's actions.

be held accountable

Focuses on the external process of being made responsible.

answer for

Similar to "be held accountable", implying a need to explain or justify actions.

FAQs

How can I use "take blame" in a sentence?

You can use "take blame" when someone accepts responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing. For example, "The manager decided to "take blame" for the team's failure to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "take blame"?

Alternatives include "accept responsibility", "shoulder the blame", or "take responsibility", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "take the blame" or "accept the blame"?

Both "take the blame" and "accept the blame" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "take blame" and "assign blame"?

"Take blame" means to accept responsibility for something, while "assign blame" means to attribute responsibility to someone else. They are opposite actions: one accepts fault, the other points it out.