dereliction of duty
Failing one's post
Dereliction of duty is the deliberate or negligent failure to fulfill one's professional obligations, especially in military, legal, or official contexts.
A soldier who abandons a post or a public official who ignores sworn responsibilities commits dereliction of duty: The officer faced court-martial for dereliction of duty.
The phrase implies not mere incompetence but culpable neglect.
- AWOLAbsent without permission
- misconductImproper professional behavior
- conduct unbecomingActions unworthy of role
- malfeasanceUnlawful act by officeholder
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
failure to act · irresponsibility · incompetence · carelessness · asleep at the wheel · abdication · omission · shirking · desertion · court-martial · laxity · breach of contract · apathy · neglectfulness · unprofessionalism · sworn oath · unauthorized absence · disloyalty
- dutyjury duty, guard duty, on duty, off duty, active duty
- military disciplinedemerits, saluting, discipline, chain of command, drill
- military offensesdesertion, insubordination, mutiny, AWOL, absence without leave
- neglect crimeschild neglect, neglect, nonfeasance, failure to act, elder neglect
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- political scandalsWatergate, Iran-Contra, Whitewater, Teapot Dome, coverup
dereliction of dutyconscientiousness
Careful attention to duty
due diligence · steadfastness · exemplary service · diligence · faithfulness
dereliction of dutyheroism
Exceptional courage under duress
self-sacrifice · valor · honor · integrity · noble conduct