lie at (one's) door

lie at (one's) door

To be one's responsibility. Typically said of something negative. I'm the coach, and I called a bad play, so any blame for this loss lies at my door.

See also: door, lie

lie at somebody’s door

(formal) (of the responsibility for a mistake, etc.) belong to somebody: The main problem is the design of the building and the responsibility for that lies clearly at the architect’s door.

See also: door, lie