# lay at someone's door

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lay-at-someones-door
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To blame (a problem) on someone; to hold someone responsible for (something).

## Examples

- The team lays the failure at the manager's door.
- Although the project failed due to many factors, the board decided to lay the blame at the director's door.
- Historians often lay the responsibility for the economic collapse at the door of the government, citing their poor decision-making during the crisis.

## Origin

Alludes to someone laying incriminating evidence at the door of a guilty person, perhaps during the night. Compare lie at someone's door. (disputed)

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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.