to blame

to blame — idiom

1. responsible for causing something bad or wrong, and therefore deserving criticis

1.idiomB1
Definition

responsible for causing something bad or wrong, and therefore deserving criticism or consequences

Example

Ava admitted she was to blame for the broken window.

common pattern: was to blame for

The report found that poor planning was to blame for the delay.

Common collocations
  • partly to blame
  • entirely to blame
  • largely to blame
  • solely to blame
  • who is to blame
Synonyms
  • at fault

    identical in meaning but slightly more formal; frequent in official reports and legal contexts

  • responsible

    broader term that can describe assigned duties or roles, not only fault

  • in the wrong

    everyday phrase often implying a moral or interpersonal mistake

Antonyms
  • blameless

    completely free from fault or wrongdoing

Grammar Patterns

be + to blame

Usage Note

Always follows a form of 'be' (is, was, are, were). The phrase does not take a direct object — you cannot say 'She is to blame him.'

Common Mistakes

She is to blame him for the accident.
She blames him for the accident' or 'She is to blame for the accident.
'to blame' as a fixed phrase never takes an object; use the active verb 'blame' instead.