accuse

accuse (one) of (something)

To blame one for a crime or wrongdoing. I can't believe he would accuse me of stealing money out of his wallet. Don't accuse him of lying without any evidence. They're accusing me of robbing their house, but, I swear, I didn't do it!

See also: accuse, of

he who excuses himself accuses himself

proverb By apologizing, one admits that they have done something wrong. No, if you apologize to Mom, then she'll know that you were the only who scratched up her car. He who excuses himself accuses himself!

See also: accuse, excuse, he, himself, who

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

accuse someone of something

to charge someone with a crime, a violation of rules or instructions, or doing something wrong. Please don't accuse me of forgetting to lock the door.

See also: accuse, of

He who excuses himself accuses himself.

Prov. By apologizing for something, you admit that you did it. Maybe I should tell my boss I'm sorry for breaking the copy machine. On the other hand, he who excuses himself accuses himself.

See also: accuse, excuse, he, himself, who

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.