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...html?hpt=hp_t2

Quote:

"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.

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?

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/de...responsibility

Oberon · 11-29-14, 08:39 AM

Um...Jim...

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"

August · 11-29-14, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

Am I getting this right?

He probably learned it from the present administration...

Buddahaid · 11-29-14, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolferz

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".

Joefour · 11-29-14, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

He probably learned it from the present administration...

I second that!

kranz · 11-29-14, 10:53 AM

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by kranz

English native speakers asking for explanation of English phrases...
holy cow..
I bet you need the manuals for manuals.

See post # 3.

Buddahaid · 11-29-14, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kranz

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.

Oberon · 11-29-14, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

He probably learned it from the present administration...

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...

Buddahaid · 11-29-14, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribesman

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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Am I suffering German humour syndrome here, or what is it about?

You do.

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?

11-29-14, 08:31 AM	#2
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,552 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	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/de...responsibility __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

11-29-14, 09:31 AM	#5
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,636 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	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. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

11-29-14, 09:39 AM	#6
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	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" __________________ Tomorrow never comes

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11-29-14, 08:39 AM	#3
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Um...Jim...

11-29-14, 08:42 AM	#4
Dread Knot Ace of the Deep Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,288 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	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.

11-29-14, 10:53 AM	#10
kranz The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Poland Posts: 1,430 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	English native speakers asking for explanation of English phrases... holy cow.. I bet you need the manuals for manuals.