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fault

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at fault

Responsible for a problem, mistake, or other incident. The other driver was definitely at fault—I was just sitting at a red light when he rear-ended me! I know I was at fault, so I will apologize to Sara today.

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at fault

to blame [for something]; serving as the cause of something bad. I was not at fault in the accident. You cannot blame me.

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fault someone (for something)

to blame or criticize someone for something. I can't fault you for that. I would have done the same thing. He tended to fault himself for the failure of the project.

find fault (with someone or something)

to find things wrong with someone or something. We were unable to find fault with his arguments. Sally's father was always finding fault with her.

See also: fault, find

generous to a fault

Cliché too generous; overly generous. My favorite uncle is generous to a fault. Sally—always generous to a fault—gave away her lunch to a homeless man.

See also: fault, generous

to a fault

more than is necessary She was generous to a fault, taking me out to dinner and buying me expensive gifts.

Usage notes: used after an adjective that describes one of someone's good characteristics

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to a fault

if someone is generous or has another good quality to a fault, they are very generous or have more of that good quality than other people Nigel was generous to a fault, taking me out to dinner and buying me flowers and chocolates.

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at fault

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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find fault

Criticize, express dissatisfaction with, as in She was a difficult traveling companion, constantly finding fault with the hotel, meal service, and tour guides . [Mid-1500s]

See also: fault, find

to a fault

Excessively, extremely, as in He was generous to a fault. This phrase, always qualifying an adjective, has been so used since the mid-1700s. Indeed, Oliver Goldsmith had this precise usage in The Life of Richard Nash (1762).

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at fault

1. Deserving of blame; guilty: admitted to being at fault.

2. Confused and puzzled.

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find fault

To seek, find, and complain about faults; criticize: found fault with his speech.

See also: fault, find

to a fault

To an excessive degree: generous to a fault.

See also: fault