ENGLISH
REFERENCE

be to blame

idiom
Meaning

to be the person or thing that caused something bad to happen.


Examples
SIMPLE

I broke the vase, so I am to blame.

CONTEXTUAL

The project failed because of poor planning, and the manager knows he is to blame for the mistakes.

COMPLEX

While the storm caused significant damage, the city council is to blame for failing to maintain the aging infrastructure before the disaster struck.

Last updated April 22, 2026