blame

7 definitions • 11 examples

to say or think that someone or something did something wrong or is responsible for something bad happening:

Don't blame me (= it is not my fault) if you miss the bus!

Hugh blames his mother for his lack of confidence.

Hugh blames his lack of confidence on his mother.

said in order to tell someone that you understand why they are doing something and that you agree with the reason for doing it:

I don't blame him for getting angry - she's being really annoying.

to be the reason for something bad that happens:

The hot weather is partly to blame for the water shortage.

the situation in which people say or think that someone or something did something wrong or is responsible for something bad happening:

Health officials put the blame for the disease on (= say that the reason for the disease is) poor housing conditions.

They tried to pin (= put) the blame for the killing on an innocent army officer.

We want to find out what happened, not to apportion blame (= to say someone or something was wrong).

If you take the blame for something, you say that you did it or that it is your fault:

If anything goes wrong, I'll take the blame.

to make someone or something responsible for something:

You can’t blame the government for all your troubles.

If you don’t blame someone for something, you understand and accept that person's reasons for it:

I don't blame her for not supporting the final budget agreement.