Lay at someone's door meaning

"Lay at someone's door" means to blame or hold responsible for something negative.


Lay at someone's door definitions

Word backwards yal ta s'enoemos rood
Part of speech Phrase
Syllabic division lay at some/one's door
Plural Lay at someone's door has no plural form as it is a phrase and not a noun.
Total letters 17
Vogais (3) a,o,e
Consonants (8) l,y,t,s,m,n,d,r

When we say that something lays at someone's door, we mean that a particular responsibility or blame is being attributed to that person. This phrase is often used to indicate that someone is being held accountable for a certain situation or issue.

Origin of the Phrase

The phrase "lay at someone's door" has its roots in older English idioms. The word "lay" in this context means to place something somewhere, and "door" refers to the entrance or home of a person. Therefore, when we say something lays at someone's door, we are essentially saying that the responsibility or blame for a problem rests with that individual.

Usage in Modern Language

Today, the phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal settings to convey the idea that someone is responsible for a particular situation. For example, if a project fails at work, a manager might say that the failure lays at the team leader's door, indicating that the team leader is accountable for the outcome.

Similar Expressions

There are several similar expressions that convey a similar sentiment to laying something at someone's door. For instance, one might say that the blame falls on someone's shoulders or that they are bearing the brunt of a particular issue. These phrases all serve to highlight the idea of assigning responsibility or culpability to an individual.

In conclusion, the phrase laying at someone's door is a vivid way to communicate the idea that someone is accountable for a specific problem or situation. It is a powerful expression that underscores the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions or decisions.


Lay at someone's door Examples

  1. He always tries to lay the blame at someone else's door.
  2. You can't just lay all the responsibility at her door.
  3. The mayor attempted to lay the decision at the council's door.
  4. She refused to lay the mistake at her colleague's door.
  5. It's not fair to lay all the criticism at his door.
  6. The teacher tried to lay the failure at the student's door.
  7. He attempted to lay the problem at his boss's door.
  8. She always seems to lay the burden at someone else's door.
  9. It's easy to lay the guilt at his door.
  10. Don't lay all the negativity at their door.


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  • Updated 04/04/2024 - 23:55:15