View Full Version : I need help understanding an English Phrase
Platapus
11-29-14, 08:23 AM
Even though I am a native speaker, I still stumble over some English phrases.
What does "accept full responsibility" mean?
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/28/us/ray-rice-reinstated/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
"I made an inexcusable mistake and accept full responsibility for my actions," Rice said I have also heard politicians use this phrase.
I think the phrase "I accept full responsibility" means that we should not talk about it and that the person should continue to be rewarded by keeping their position.
I know that English is a tricky language and that an English phrase does not always mean what the individual words in the phrase mean. But I gets confused. :nope: So lemme see if I gots this straight
""I made an inexcusable mistake and accept full responsibility for my actions," Rice said" really means that he does not accept any responsibility and that his mistake (crime) should, in fact be excused and that he should be allowed to go back to the NFL and earn millions of dollars.
Am I getting this right? :doh:
Jimbuna
11-29-14, 08:31 AM
That can be a difficult one to answer, depending on the context the statement is being put to but here are a few examples which I hope are of some use:
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/responsibility
Um...Jim...
http://i.imgur.com/hZCp45M.gif
:03:
Dread Knot
11-29-14, 08:42 AM
Maybe if public apologizers were simply better at just being sorry, we wouldn't need "I take full responsibility for my actions" in the first place. Frankly, I don't see where Rice had a choice since it was all caught on a surveillance camera.
I guess the public confession--the public taking of responsibility--involves a ritual sacrifice. Because politicians, celebrities and sports figures think making an offering to the media gods signals true remorse and means you are serving your figurative time, even if you're not going to serve any actual time. I recall Anthony Weiner took full responsibility for his actions. Than ran for higher office again like nothing had happened.
Skybird
11-29-14, 09:31 AM
Am I suffering German humour syndrome here, or what is it about? The phrase means "I accept to be held accountable, I accept to bear the consequences from my action/the event, I accept to give compensation/bear punishment".
If it is for one's own action, the causal link is clear (compare: originator principle). "I did it, so I am to be held responsible for it, and have to live with/come up for the consequences".
If it is due to "an event", the event can be causally caused by me, or not, may be caused by somebody who is subordinate to me (institutional hierarchies) or for whom I bear responsibility (parents for children). There can be plenty of reasons why somebody may (or have to) accept responsibility. In phrasing only (political contexts), or even by deeds.
What is difficult in that phrase? In German we have the same phrase, and its meaning is clear.
Wolferz
11-29-14, 09:39 AM
It's a common usage these days and doesn't mean squat diddly.
It's one of those read between the lines phrases for those suffering from Affluenza, that means...
"Yeah I did it. So What? I'm too big to fail":-?
Am I getting this right? :doh:
He probably learned it from the present administration... :yep:
Buddahaid
11-29-14, 10:41 AM
It's a common usage these days and doesn't mean squat diddly.
It's one of those read between the lines phrases for those suffering from Affluenza, that means...
"Yeah I did it. So What? I'm too big to fail":-?
Correct. I take full responsibility if you can get past my lawyers and pin it on me.
The new version of the insincere "sorry".
http://rack.0.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE0LzExLzEwL2M5LzguYjhiMzEuZ2lmCnAJdGh1bWIJOD UweDg1MD4KZQlqcGc/5b27b6d6/316/8.jpg
Joefour
11-29-14, 10:51 AM
He probably learned it from the present administration... :yep:
I second that!
English native speakers asking for explanation of English phrases...
holy cow..
I bet you need the manuals for manuals.
u crank
11-29-14, 10:57 AM
English native speakers asking for explanation of English phrases...
holy cow..
I bet you need the manuals for manuals.
See post # 3. :O:
Buddahaid
11-29-14, 10:58 AM
English native speakers asking for explanation of English phrases...
holy cow..
I bet you need the manuals for manuals.
The literal meaning is clear but the words seem not spoken with sincerity.
He probably learned it from the present administration... :yep:
And the one before that
And the one before that
And the one before that
And the one before that
And the one before that
And the one before that
And the one before that
And so on and so forth... :har: :haha:
Buddahaid
11-29-14, 11:29 AM
Don't try and bring reason into it, accept partisan crap for what it is.
It works like this . August stubbed his toe today...it's Obamas fault.:yep:
It is Obama's fault. August was trying to complete his benefits open enrollment and sign up for an FSA when the injury occurred.
Schroeder
11-29-14, 01:22 PM
Am I suffering German humour syndrome here, or what is it about?
You do.:O:
Platapus used it sarcastically because most politicians will "accept full responsibility" once they have been caught doing something while not actually taking any responsibility at all. To them it just means "move along nothing to see and in two years I'll be back".
Do I have to hand in my German passport now?:o
Wolferz
11-29-14, 01:51 PM
It is Obama's fault. August was trying to complete his benefits open enrollment and sign up for an FSA when the injury occurred.
Yeah, the complexity of this latest government stupidity caused him to kick something hard and immovable in his frustration.
Let's hope the new coverage handles the anger management sessions.:03::O:
Wait until he discovers the insurance excludes chill pills from their formulary.:stare:
What does "accept full responsibility" mean?
Something very different if you can run, throw, or kick things.
Aktungbby
11-29-14, 02:16 PM
What does "accept full responsibility" mean?
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/28/us/ray-rice-reinstated/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
I have also heard politicians use this phrase.
I think the phrase "I accept full responsibility" means that we should not talk about it and that the person should continue to be rewarded by keeping their position. :doh: Ronald Reagan's address to the nation during the Iran- Contra crises comes to mind; also, bear in mind that he also pondered how 'anyone who is president must necessarily be an actor..." On March 4, 1987, Reagan returned to the airwaves in a nationally televised address, taking full responsibility for any actions that he was unaware of, and admitting that "what began as a strategic opening to Iran deteriorated, in its implementation, into trading arms for hostages". Robert E. Lee is a true hero IMHO: at the disaster of Picketts Charge "After the traumatic repulse of the attack of July 3rd, instead of trying to shift the blame or find a scapegoat, Lee constantly repeated “It’s all my fault” and “The blame is mine”. Two commanders-in-chief caught in grievious error-one meant what he said; the other did not.:doh:
[
Armistead
11-29-14, 04:13 PM
It's just a cover statement to take the attention off the person that should be held fully accountable.
See post # 3. :O:
Ah, right. My bad.
You see, I never read threads to which I reply.
Sailor Steve has taught me that.:)
Skybird
11-29-14, 06:46 PM
You do.:O:
Platapus used it sarcastically because most politicians will "accept full responsibility" once they have been caught doing something while not actually taking any responsibility at all. To them it just means "move along nothing to see and in two years I'll be back".
Do I have to hand in my German passport now?:o
:haha: :haha:
Was der kann, kann ich schon lange...!
What I said was MY way to make a joke about it all. It seems nobody got it and took it serious...?
Well, maybe still German humour...
:O:
u crank
11-29-14, 06:54 PM
You see, I never read threads to which I reply.
That's a novel approach. Never thought of that.
Schroeder
11-29-14, 06:58 PM
:haha: :haha:
Was der kann, kann ich schon lange...!
What I said was MY way to make a joke about it all. It seems nobody got it and took it serious...?
Well, maybe still German humour...
:O:
So I guess my citizenship won't be revoked after all.:smug:
Wolferz
11-30-14, 03:29 AM
So I guess my citizenship won't be revoked after all.:smug:
Just accept full responsibility for your actions and you're good to go.:03::O:
And the one before that
And the one before that
And the one before that
And the one before that
And the one before that
And the one before that
And the one before that
And so on and so forth... :har: :haha:
Well some are more known for it than others.
Cybermat47
11-30-14, 04:46 PM
I accept full responsibility for the minor misunderstandings arising from this thread.
Now excuse me while I keep my job and keep screwing up :arrgh!:
Platapus
12-01-14, 10:45 AM
Well, that did not go a well as I thought it would have.
Mods, might as well lock it.
Tango589
12-01-14, 11:13 AM
It didn't go that bad. There was a whole six posts before blame Obama came into it.
Its now the second page and there hasn't been any OMG its the muslims or that's just what blacks do yet, there hasn't even been a FEMA death camp mentioned.
So for GT the topic is actually flying along quite nicely.:03:
But, because you mentioned all 3 in one post, you've now broken the internet.:yeah:
Betonov
12-01-14, 12:35 PM
But, because you mentioned all 3 in one post, you've now broken the internet.:yeah:
Not yet, he forgot the Austrian painter and Europe being red :03:
Ah Subsim GT, where you can't ever observe that the forum sacred cows might not be pure as the driven snow without being called a closet nazi racist islamaphobe conspiracy theory nut by a bunch of foreigners. :88)
Hurrah! Dem darn furreners! :rock:
I thought we fixed your wagons at Yorktown.... :stare:
Cybermat47
12-01-14, 07:12 PM
Ah Subsim GT, where you can't ever observe that the forum sacred cows might not be pure as the driven snow without being called a closet nazi racist islamaphobe conspiracy theory nut by a bunch of foreigners. :88)
Okay, I'm not bothered at all by what you said about the current US administration. It's something seemingly every administration has done in the last few centuries. And you're definitely not a Nazi.
But foreigners? Really? That's the term you use to describe the person you see as being rude to you? And why a plural, when from what I can see, only one person could be seen as being rude to you?
I thought we fixed your wagons at Yorktown.... :stare:
Oh, bringing up past events that no-one here was part of? That's going to help your case so much.
And I how thought that this "accept full responsibility" meant that the politician toke full...-but some poor guy or guys have to take the penalty.
Markus
u crank
12-01-14, 07:52 PM
But foreigners? Really? That's the term you use to describe the person you see as being rude to you? And why a plural, when from what I can see, only one person could be seen as being rude to you?
:hmmm:
Um...Jim...
http://i.imgur.com/hZCp45M.gif
:03:
Cybermat47
12-01-14, 08:16 PM
:hmmm:
GAWDDAYUMMIT :/\\!!
u crank
12-01-14, 08:24 PM
GAWDDAYUMMIT :/\\!!
:har:
That's the term you use to describe the person you see as being rude to you?
Erm no. I never said that foreigner was another name for rude. You're basing your comment on a false premise.
Oh, bringing up past events that no-one here was part of?You mean events that no one here was part of like the Ferguson riots? Or do you actually think I was implying that Oberon participated in an over 200 year old battle?
That's going to help your case so much. My case? Seriously? I have no "case" and this is no court and you certainly aren't anyones judge or jury here.
You mean I wasn't at Yorktown? :o
I blame the French... :nope:
You mean I wasn't at Yorktown? :o
I blame the French... :nope:
:) There's so much to blame them for!
:) There's so much to blame them for!
It's a national pastime. :yep:
Cybermat47
12-02-14, 12:17 AM
Erm no. I never said that foreigner was another name for rude. You're basing your comment on a false premise.
Never said you were being rude. I just find referring to others as 'foreigners' to be a bit weird. Don't know why.
You mean events that no one here was part of like the Ferguson riots? Or do you actually think I was implying that Oberon participated in an over 200 year old battle?
I never said that you were implying that someone here was at the Siege of Yorktown. I just find it weird to bring up a battle that happened in the 1700s the way you did. "We burnt your wagons at Yorktown" strikes me as being the same as those British football fans who bring up the fact that Britain beat Germany in WWII whenever Britain is playing Germany.
Unless you were joking when you said that, in which case GAWDDAYUMMIT :/\\!!
My case? Seriously? I have no "case" and this is no court and you certainly aren't anyones judge or jury here.
You should get a case. They make things easier to carry.
And I never claimed to be a judge or jury (and if I was, my verdict on you would be that you're innocent). When I said 'case' I meant your argument that you aren't a racist xenophobic Nazi. You obviously aren't a racist xenophobic Nazi, but people might think you are if when you're disagreeing with British people you bring up an ancient battle where your country beat theirs. It's like if I was arguing with Skybird, and out of the blue I said 'Yeah, well we beat you at Tobruk.'
I'm not disagreeing with what you're saying. I'm simply disagreeing with the way you're saying it sometimes.
Buddahaid
12-02-14, 12:18 AM
Like freedom fries. If there were no French we wouldn't have had freedom fries!
Cybermat47
12-02-14, 12:19 AM
Like freedom fries. If there were no French we wouldn't have had freedom fries!
You know what they're called here?
French fries :)
And the best thing?
They're from Belgium... :haha:
Cybermat47
12-02-14, 01:03 AM
And the best thing?
They're from Belgium... :haha:
Must be part of a secret Belgian plan to blame everything on the French :hmmm:
Must be part of a secret Belgian plan to blame everything on the French :hmmm:
Actually, I think that it's a secret plan by the Dutch to get revenge on the Germans by having the Belgians and British blame the French. :yep:
Cybermat47
12-02-14, 01:48 AM
Actually, I think that it's a secret plan by the Dutch to get revenge on the Germans by having the Belgians and British blame the French. :yep:
How would Belgium and Britain blaming the French help the Dutch get their revenge on the Germans? :hmmm:
Tango589
12-02-14, 04:08 AM
How would Belgium and Britain blaming the French help the Dutch get their revenge on the Germans? :hmmm:
It's all part of the great circle of life. Everybody blames everybody else and no blame sticks to anyone.:up:
It's all part of the great circle of life. Everybody blames everybody else and no blame sticks to anyone.:up:
Exactly, it's a cycle...and who are the Gods of bicycles?
The Dutch! :smug:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3107/2891828415_28acc3b0da.jpg
Mark my words, they may act all coy and innocent, with their tulips and windmills, but you turn your back for five seconds and suddenly your fleet is on fire and there's bicycles everywhere... :nope:
CaptainMattJ.
12-02-14, 03:37 PM
Even though I am a native speaker, I still stumble over some English phrases.
What does "accept full responsibility" mean?
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/28/us/ray-rice-reinstated/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
I have also heard politicians use this phrase.
I think the phrase "I accept full responsibility" means that we should not talk about it and that the person should continue to be rewarded by keeping their position.
I know that English is a tricky language and that an English phrase does not always mean what the individual words in the phrase mean. But I gets confused. :nope: So lemme see if I gots this straight
""I made an inexcusable mistake and accept full responsibility for my actions," Rice said" really means that he does not accept any responsibility and that his mistake (crime) should, in fact be excused and that he should be allowed to go back to the NFL and earn millions of dollars.
Am I getting this right? :doh:
His wife excused him. His wife, the actual woman who was knocked out, vehemently defended rice AND his character, and said she has been infuriated about how the media and the rest of the country is involving themselves with their personal business. She said that this was the first and only incident of violence in their relationship, that they were both heavily intoxicated, and that if this was a recurring problem that she wouldnt just sit there and take it. It was extremely disgusting and brutal what he did to her, and it should never happen to anyone, anywhere, regardless of the circumstances. But its not our life. If Janay Rice AND her mother are so willing to forgive him for something like that, then i dont see where its mine or anyones place to force her to press charges against him. I cant say that i would be forgiving if i was her, but shes the one married to him, its her decision to stay with him and forgive him. She truly believes that this was one of those life changing mistakes and thinks he deserves a second chance. I dont really agree with that decision, but its NOT my decision to make, and its frankly none of my business if she wants to give him a second chance after something that heinous and violent.
So because of that, Rice won his appeal, he went to pretrial counseling, no charges were filed, and his suspension is up. Now, i may not like rice at all, but seeing as how everyone involved moved on and he was acquitted of the crime, i dont see why he cant be allowed to return to the NFL. PLENTY of NFL players have committed FAR worse crimes and still been allowed back onto the field *cough* Ray Lewis *cough*. I hate the ravens, and i dont like rice at all especially after something like this, but come on. The NFL has allowed far far worse to play for them.
"We burnt your wagons at Yorktown" strikes me as being the same as those British football fans who bring up the fact that Britain beat Germany in WWII whenever Britain is playing Germany.
Actually the term is "fixed your wagons" instead of "burnt" (although we undoubtedly did burn some wagons at the time) In any case your take on the gist of it is more or less correct and yes it was a joke. :up:
Platapus
12-02-14, 07:00 PM
His wife excused him. His wife, the actual woman who was knocked out, vehemently defended rice AND his character,
I don't believe that is an uncommon reaction by abused women. Also, a citizen can't legally forgive a felony. They can choose not to press charges but they can't prevent the state from pressing charges. Most of the time the state won't press charges without the cooperation of the victim, but that is not the same as the state being unable to press charges if it so chooses.
So no, legally and in my opinion morally, the wife excusing him has really no relevance.
Jimbuna
12-03-14, 06:16 AM
Exactly, it's a cycle...and who are the Gods of bicycles?
The Dutch! :smug:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3107/2891828415_28acc3b0da.jpg
Mark my words, they may act all coy and innocent, with their tulips and windmills, but you turn your back for five seconds and suddenly your fleet is on fire and there's bicycles everywhere... :nope:
LOL :)
Pity Hunter isn't about.
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