- [uncountable, countable] a duty to deal with or take care of somebody/something, so that you may be blamed if something goes wrong
- to be in a position of responsibility
- It's time for someone to take responsibility and get the job done.
- responsibility for something She assumed responsibility for recruitment.
- We are recruiting a sales manager with responsibility for the European market.
- responsibility for doing something They have responsibility for ensuring the rules are enforced.
- The responsibility for doing this rests with the department managers.
- responsibility to do something It is their responsibility to ensure the rules are enforced.
- parental rights and responsibilities
- She is no longer able to fulfil her responsibilities.
- I did it on my own responsibility (= without being told to and being willing to take the blame if it had gone wrong).
Extra Examples- Governors carry a special burden of responsibility.
- Responsibility is devolved down to the people who are affected.
- She has responsibility for public spending.
- As a nation we have shirked responsibility for our emissions.
- We encourage students to share responsibility for shaping the content of the course.
- Every employee shares responsibility for the company's success.
- The assistants were handling their responsibilities in the only way they could.
- The heads of school departments have particular responsibilities for the curriculum.
- The sergeant assumed his command responsibilities.
- Ultimate responsibility rests with the president.
- We retain all responsibility for any shortcomings.
- What are the main responsibilities in your job?
- Will you take responsibility for arranging the food?
- As you delegate responsibility, you may feel a loss of control.
- With great power comes great responsibility.
- He avoids responsibility at work.
- people on the verge of assuming adult responsibilities
- to shift legal responsibility for the correct labelling of goods onto the shopkeeper
- I'm not ready to be in a position of responsibility.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- total
- …
- have
- accept
- acknowledge
- …
- fall on somebody
- fall to somebody
- lie with somebody
- …
- responsibility for
- responsibility towards/toward
- the age of criminal responsibility
- the burden of responsibility
- do something on your own responsibility
- …
Definitions on the go
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- [uncountable] responsibility (for something) blame for something bad that has happened
- The bank refuses to accept responsibility for the mistake.
- Nobody has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
- It is for the court to decide who bears responsibility.
- We take full responsibility for any errors in the text.
Extra Examples- They wanted to shift responsibility for the failure onto their employees.
- Full responsibility for the fiasco lies with the PR department.
- I take personal responsibility for what has happened.
- The cabinet must take collective responsibility for this disastrous decision.
- Everyone is trying to shuffle blame and shirk responsibility.
- He attributed responsibility for the killing to the secret service.
- No organization has yet claimed responsibility for the bomb attack.
- The blame should not rest entirely on the director's shoulders; the screenwriter has to share responsibility.
- They continue to deny responsibility for their actions.
- They cannot evade responsibility for helping to create the mess in the first place.
- We cannot avoid responsibility for the choices we make.
- The group openly admitted responsibility for the murder.
- They acknowledge their responsibility for the legacy of colonialism.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- total
- …
- have
- accept
- acknowledge
- …
- fall on somebody
- fall to somebody
- lie with somebody
- …
- responsibility for
- responsibility towards/toward
- the age of criminal responsibility
- the burden of responsibility
- do something on your own responsibility
- …
- [uncountable, countable] a moral duty to do something or to help or take care of somebody because of your job, position, etc.
- We want to instil a sense of personal responsibility in children.
- responsibility to/towards somebody She feels a strong sense of responsibility towards her employees.
- We have a responsibility to our shareholders.
- responsibility to do something I think we have a moral responsibility to help these countries.
- The media has abdicated its responsibility to report the facts.
Extra Examples- She feels a sense of responsibility towards her employees.
- She has plans for her future, but feels a responsibility towards her grieving dad.
- What, if anything, is the responsibility of an artist towards the world?
- She acknowledges the social responsibility of the writer.
- The welfare of children is a collective responsibility.
- There has to be a place in any ethical system for personal responsibility.
- He feels a responsibility to his community.
- an obligation to meet family responsibilities
- The government of the time placed responsibility for the poor on the Church.
- It is a great responsibility caring for other people's children.
- He seems unwilling to face up to his responsibilities as a father.
- It is our responsibility as members of Congress to speak out against this injustice.
- We have a responsibility as architects to conserve resources.
- The club has a responsibility to its members.
- She has to cope with her grief and shoulder the responsibility of bringing up children alone.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heavy
- major
- onerous
- …
- have
- carry out
- discharge
- …
- responsibility for
- responsibility to
- responsibility towards/toward
- …
- duties and responsibilities
- rights and responsibilities
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responsibility