shift the blame
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
- deflectTurn from course
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
deny · cover-up · evasion · accountability · fault · guilty · responsibility · passing the buck · smokescreen · alibi · spin · manipulation · deflection · sidestep · weasel · slippery · denial · accuse
accountability
shift the blametake responsibility
Accept fault for outcomes
own up · take the blame · fess up · confess · fall on one's sword