lay something at the feet of: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  generalneutralformal
  • to attribute responsibility, blame, or fault to a person or entity
  • to assign credit or praise to someone as the source or cause of something

  Examples

  Beta

  • Many fans lay the team's poor performance at the feet of the new coach, blaming him entirely.

    Muchos aficionados atribuyen el mal desempeño del equipo al nuevo entrenador, culpándolo por completo.

  • The manager laid the project's failure at the feet of the marketing department's mistakes.

    El gerente atribuyó el fracaso del proyecto a los errores del departamento de marketing.

  • Critics laid the economic downturn at the feet of government policies that failed to stimulate growth.

    Los críticos atribuyeron la recesión económica a las políticas gubernamentales que no lograron estimular el crecimiento.

• 2.

  generalformalliterary
  • to present or offer something humbly to someone, often as an act of deference or supplication

  Examples

  Beta

  • The young artist laid her latest painting at the feet of the gallery owner, hoping for a chance to exhibit.

    La joven artista presentó humildemente su última pintura al dueño de la galería, esperando la oportunidad de exhibirla.

  • He laid the proposal at the feet of the board, awaiting their approval with great respect.

    Él presentó la propuesta a la junta, esperando su aprobación con gran respeto.

  • In the ceremony, the knight laid his sword at the feet of the queen as a sign of loyalty.

    En la ceremonia, el caballero depositó su espada a los pies de la reina como señal de lealtad.