at fault

Idioms  

1. Responsible for a mistake, trouble, or failure; deserving blame. For example, At least three cars were involved in the accident, so it was hard to determine which driver was at fault, or He kept missing the target and wondered if the sight on his new rifle was at fault. In Britain this usage was formerly considered incorrect but is now acceptable; in America it has been widespread since the mid-1800s. Also see in the wrong.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at fault

Amtrak claimed a New Jersey Transit contractor was at fault.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

However, Vladimir Barbin, the Russian ambassador to Denmark, fired back saying it was the helicopter that had been at fault.

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

Fernandes was perhaps fortunate not to receive at least a yellow card for his part in the incident and the pundits were divided in their opinion on whether Foden was entirely at fault.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Waymo suggests its car is not at fault in the accident that was initially reported as an auto-pedestrian collision.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

The police couldn’t let that kind of thing slide if a reporter were to wonder who was at fault and maybe call for someone’s punishment.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall