take responsibility
Shoulder the blame
Take responsibility means to accept accountability for something—an action, outcome, or obligation.
Often it implies acknowledging fault: He refused to take responsibility for the accident.
But it also means assuming a duty or burden: She took responsibility for planning the event.
The phrase suggests maturity and ownership, whether of mistakes or tasks.
Assign responsibility for wrongdoing
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- answerabilityObligation to explain oneself
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
- reckoningSettlement of accounts
amends · atonement · redress · confession · contrition · remorse · guilt · reparation
Binding promise given
- promiseCommitment to act
- undertakeBegin a task formally
- vowSolemn personal commitment
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
resolve · determination · follow-through · reliability · dependability · stepping up · initiative · proactive
Required task or commitment
- chargeCost or accusation
- rolePosition or part
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
- callingStrongly felt purpose
diligence · conscientiousness · burden · mandate · service · guardianship · trustee · caretaker
blame
Assign responsibility for wrongdoing
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- answerabilityObligation to explain oneself
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
reckoning · amends · atonement · redress · confession · contrition · remorse · guilt · reparation · rectification
pledge
Binding promise given
dedication · resolve · determination · follow-through · reliability · dependability · stepping up · initiative · proactive · engagement
obligation
Required task or commitment
- chargeCost or accusation
- rolePosition or part
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
calling · diligence · conscientiousness · burden · mandate · service · guardianship · trustee · caretaker · custodian
- accountabilityaccountability, accountable, answerability, culpability, liable
- life advicebe honest, be kind, be patient, work hard, be yourself
take responsibilitypass the buck
Transfer responsibility elsewhere
scapegoat · wash one's hands of · make excuses · point fingers · disown
take responsibilitydrop the ball
Fail at a critical moment
look the other way · turn a blind eye · bury one's head in the sand · sit on one's hands · check out
mistake, taken, taking, mistaken, responsible, overtake, responsibility, takes, mistakes