point the finger
Meaning(s)
1. assign blame or accuse someone/something
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
quick to point the finger at
Analysis
To point the finger at someone means to accuse them of responsibility for something that has happened or to put the blame on them. "Don't point the finger at me! I said this was a bad idea from the beginning." "I don't like to point fingers but there is one department whos productivity is far behind everyone else." This is an idiom used in both social and professional contexts.
Social Examples (Basic)
- He was quick to point the finger at his teammates after they lost the match instead of taking responsibility for his own bad performance.
- I'm not pointing the finger at anyone in particular, but someone in the office has been messing with my computer.
- The new evidence in the crash investigation points the finger directly at engine failure.