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responsible

[riˈspɒnsəbl]

responsible Definition

  • 1having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role
  • 2being the primary cause of something and therefore able to be blamed or credited for it

Using responsible: Examples

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

  • Example

    As a teacher, you are responsible for your students' safety.

  • Example

    The company is responsible for providing its employees with proper training.

  • Example

    He was held responsible for the accident.

  • Example

    I am responsible for cooking dinner tonight.

responsible Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for responsible

Antonyms for responsible

Idioms Using responsible

  • to have control over the money in a situation

    Example

    My wife holds the purse strings in our household.

  • to accept the blame or punishment for something

    Example

    He took the rap for his friend's mistake.

  • to avoid taking responsibility by passing it on to someone else

    Example

    He tried to pass the buck to his assistant, but we knew he was responsible.

Phrases with responsible

  • to blame someone for something that has happened

    Example

    The company was held responsible for the oil spill.

  • to accept that you are responsible for something that has happened

    Example

    He took responsibility for his mistake and apologized.

  • to have control over or care for someone or something

    Example

    She is responsible for managing the project.

Origins of responsible

from Latin 'responsabilis', from 'responsum', meaning 'answerable'

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Summary: responsible in Brief

The term 'responsible' [riˈspɒnsəbl] denotes a sense of obligation or control over someone or something. It can refer to being accountable for a task or action, as in 'As a teacher, you are responsible for your students' safety.' Alternatively, it can indicate being the primary cause of something, as in 'He was held responsible for the accident.' 'Responsible' extends into phrases like 'hold someone responsible,' and idioms like 'take the rap,' denoting accepting blame or punishment.

How do native speakers use this expression?