take the blame for

USAGE SUMMARY

"take the blame for" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English, and can be used to indicate that someone is willing to accept responsibility for something.
Example: "I take the blame for the delay; I should have moved faster to fix the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'll take the blame for it all".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'll take the blame for that".

The New York Times - Sports

I'll take the blame for this one.

The New York Times

"I take the blame for that.

The Guardian - Sport

"The players should take the blame for what's happened.

Independent

Somebody has to take the blame for this".

The New Yorker

"I'll take the blame for it and move on".

The New Yorker

"I take the blame for this whole series".

The New York Times - Sports

I will take the blame for any confusion.

The New York Times - Food

"I have to take the blame for that.

The Guardian - Sport

Sulfites used to take the blame for R.W.H.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take the blame for" when you want to clearly state that someone is accepting responsibility for a specific error or problem. It's direct and unambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "take the blame for" when the responsibility is genuinely shared or primarily lies with someone else. Ensure the person accepting blame is truly culpable to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take the blame for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the acceptance of responsibility or fault for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it used in contexts where individuals or groups acknowledge their role in negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take the blame for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express acceptance of responsibility for a fault or error, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, formal business settings, and, to a lesser extent, scientific discussions. While directly interchangeable alternatives like ""accept responsibility for"" exist, "take the blame for" provides a clear and unambiguous way to acknowledge culpability. Remember to use it when genuine accountability is present, to avoid misattributing blame and compromising credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accept responsibility for

Emphasizes a formal acceptance of duty or obligation related to the error.

shoulder the responsibility for

Implies bearing the weight of the obligation associated with the problem.

bear the brunt of

Highlights enduring the most severe consequences or criticism.

own up to

Suggests admitting fault in a straightforward, sometimes informal manner.

take responsibility upon oneself

Emphasizes personal acceptance of the burden associated with the issue.

be held accountable for

Focuses on being answerable for actions or outcomes.

face the music

Indicates confronting the consequences of one's actions, often involving unpleasantness.

be responsible

Highlights the state of being in charge and liable for something.

answer for

Suggests providing an explanation or justification for actions or outcomes.

carry the can

Implies taking the blame to protect others, often used informally.

FAQs

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

You can use "take the blame for" to indicate acceptance of responsibility, such as, "I will take the blame for the project's failure because I made critical errors".

What are some alternatives to "take the blame for"?

Alternatives include "accept responsibility for", "shoulder the responsibility for", or "own up to", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "take the blame for" is appropriate in formal writing, but more formal alternatives like "accept responsibility for" might be preferred in some contexts.

What's the difference between "take the blame for" and "take the responsibility for"?

"Take the blame for" emphasizes accepting fault, while "take the responsibility for" focuses on accepting the duty to manage or correct a situation.