liable

[ˈlaɪəbl]

liable Definition

  • 1responsible by law; legally answerable
  • 2likely to do or say something

Using liable: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "liable" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The company is liable for any damage caused by its products.

  • Example

    You are liable for your own actions.

  • Example

    He is liable to get angry if you criticize him.

  • Example

    She is liable to forget things if she doesn't write them down.

liable Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using liable

  • to consider someone responsible for something

    Example

    The court held the company liable for the accident.

  • to be likely to do something

    Example

    He is liable to lose his temper if you keep provoking him.

  • to make someone responsible for something

    Example

    The contract makes the buyer liable for any damages caused during transportation.

Phrases with liable

  • at risk of being charged with a crime

    Example

    Anyone who violates the law is liable to prosecution.

  • obligated to pay

    Example

    If you lose the case, you will be liable to pay the damages.

  • prone to making mistakes

    Example

    The machine is liable to error if it's not maintained properly.

Origins of liable

from Anglo-French 'liable', from Old French 'liare', meaning 'bind, tie up, fasten, tether', from Latin 'ligare', meaning 'to bind, tie'

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Summary: liable in Brief

'Liable' [ˈlaɪəbl] means responsible by law or likely to do or say something. It can be used in phrases like 'liable to prosecution,' indicating the risk of being charged with a crime, and idioms like 'hold someone liable,' meaning to consider someone responsible for something. Examples include 'The company is liable for any damage caused by its products' and 'He is liable to get angry if you criticize him.'

How do native speakers use this expression?