# be to blame

idiom · CEFR B2

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/be-to-blame
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- I broke the vase, so I am to blame.
- The project failed because of poor planning, and the manager knows he is to blame for the mistakes.
- While the storm caused significant damage, the city council is to blame for failing to maintain the aging infrastructure before the disaster struck.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.