pin the blame on

idiomatic phrase

: to assign (someone) the blame for something
When he got caught, he tried to pin the blame on someone else.
Eventually, researchers and governments did definitively pin the blame for that incident on the Russian government …Patrick Howell O'Neill

Examples of pin the blame on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Farmers who use sewage sludge as fertilizer and their neighbors face higher risks of cancer and other diseases, according to a new federal analysis that pins the blame on toxic forever chemicals. Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025 Dudley pinned the blame on confusion over the trade war. Matt Egan, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025 While the fires were worsened by dry conditions and high Santa Ana winds—leading to many pinning the blame on climate change—there have also been police investigations into allegations that arsonists are responsible. Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 Both of them clearly think that Ben is guilty, and Van is particularly eager to pin the blame on him. Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pin the blame on

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pin the blame on was in 1892

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Cite this Entry

“Pin the blame on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pin%20the%20blame%20on. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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