point the finger at
Single out culprit
To point the finger at someone is to accuse or blame them: Investigators pointed the finger at the company's CEO.
The phrase evokes the physical gesture of singling someone out.
It often implies public accusation or assigning responsibility for wrongdoing: Everyone pointed the finger at each other, but no one took responsibility.
- incriminateShow involvement in wrongdoing
- accuseClaim someone did wrong
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- throw under the busBetray for self-preservation
- chargeCost or accusation
lay blame · suspect · arraign · name names · accusation · allegation · cast aspersions · implicate · indict · scapegoating · shift the blame · whistleblowing · snitch on · rat out · denounce · call out · censure · reproach