Phrase guide

take responsibility

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Mid-Atlantic, US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I take responsibility for my poor choice; it was my fault.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To accept or take on an obligation or liability.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The new captain will take responsibility for the ship at the beginning of January.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ottaa vastuu — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • Finnish: kantaa vastuu — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • French: assumer la responsabilité — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • German: Verantwortung übernehmen — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • Hungarian: felelősséget vállal — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • Hungarian: vállalja a felelősséget — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • Polish: brać odpowiedzialność — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • Polish: wziąć odpowiedzialność — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • Portuguese: responsabilizar — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • Spanish: responsabilizarse (de) — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • Spanish: tomar/asumir responsabilidad (de/por) — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • Spanish: tomar/asumir responsabilidades (las) (de/por) — to blame oneself for something; to acknowledge a fault
  • Esperanto: responsi — accept an obligation or liability
  • German: Verantwortung übernehmen — accept an obligation or liability
  • Spanish: responsabilizarse (de) — accept an obligation or liability
  • Spanish: tomar/asumir responsabilidad (de/por) — accept an obligation or liability
  • Spanish: tomar/asumir responsabilidades (las) (de/por) — accept an obligation or liability