transfer the onus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "transfer the onus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of shifting responsibility or blame from one party to another. Example: "In the meeting, the manager attempted to transfer the onus of the project's failure onto the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the beginning of the month, the White House offered a proposal to avert the current debt-ceiling crisis — and the next one, and the one after that — by transferring the onus of raising the ceiling from Congress to the executive branch.

The New Yorker

At the beginning of the month, the White House offered a proposal to avert the current debt-ceiling crisis and the next one, and the one after that by transferring the onus of raising the ceiling from Congress to the executive branch.

The New Yorker

However, this transfers the onus onto the optical expert to design instruments that are small enough for minimally invasive procedures, and in the long term suitable for placement into the animal to enable imaging of freely moving animals.

Biomedical Optics Express

The onus to take a risk has, in fact, been transferred to Milan.

The New York Times - Sports

"The onus is always on the conservation refugee to change.

Vice

"The onus is on him.

The New York Times - Sports

The onus is on them.

The New Yorker

The onus is on Europe to respond.

The Guardian

The onus is on you.

The New York Times

But the onus is on the EU.

The Economist

The onus rests with the employer.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "transfer the onus", be specific about who is transferring the responsibility and to whom it is being transferred. Clarity ensures the shift in accountability is well-understood.

Common error

Avoid using "transfer the onus" in overly casual contexts. Simpler phrases like "pass the buck" or "shift the blame" might be more appropriate for informal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "transfer the onus" functions as a verb phrase, where "transfer" is the verb and "the onus" is the direct object. This implies an action of shifting a burden or responsibility, as supported by the examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "transfer the onus" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of shifting responsibility or burden. As indicated by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While the phrase itself is valid and understandable, alternative phrases like "shift the responsibility" or "pass the burden" may be more appropriate in casual settings. Ludwig's analysis confirms that clarity and context are key when employing this phrase to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shift the responsibility

Focuses on the act of moving responsibility, avoiding the more formal term "onus".

pass the burden

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty being transferred, using more common vocabulary.

delegate the duty

Highlights the assignment of a specific task or obligation.

assign the blame

Specifically directs responsibility for a negative outcome or fault.

foist the obligation

Implies an unwanted or unwelcome transfer of responsibility.

hand over the reins

Suggests a transfer of control and authority, along with associated responsibilities.

move the accountability

Highlights the shifting of responsibility for results and outcomes.

reallocate the task

Focuses on redistributing work or assignments among different parties.

shift the load

Suggests easing the burden on one party by distributing it to another.

devolve the responsibility

Describes the process of passing responsibility down to a lower level or entity.

FAQs

What does "transfer the onus" mean?

The phrase "transfer the onus" means to shift the responsibility or burden from one person or entity to another. It implies a formal or significant shift in accountability.

What can I say instead of "transfer the onus"?

You can use alternatives like "shift the responsibility", "pass the burden", or "delegate the duty" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the onus was transferred"?

Yes, "the onus was transferred" is grammatically correct. It indicates that the responsibility has already been shifted from one party to another.

How do you use "transfer the onus" in a sentence?

For example: "The company decided to transfer the onus of customer support to a third-party provider" or "The government attempted to transfer the onus for environmental regulations to individual citizens".