liable
/'laiəbl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Legally responsible or obligated: "Liable" describes being subject to a legal duty or responsibility, often for a debt, payment, or consequence.
- Likely to experience or be affected by something (usually negative): "Liable" indicates a tendency or susceptibility to something, often an undesirable condition or event.
- Exposed or subject to a risk or action: "Liable" means being in a position where one is likely to face a particular action, such as legal prosecution.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- The company is liable for any damages caused by its products. (The company is legally responsible for the damages.)
- If you are not careful, you are liable to make a mistake. (You are likely to make a mistake.)
- Without a valid ticket, you are liable to a fine. (You are subject to receiving a fine.)
Advanced Usage
- "to be liable for": to be legally responsible for something.
- The guarantor is liable for the loan if the borrower defaults.
- "to be liable to": to be likely to do or experience something, or to be subject to a rule or penalty.
- This old bridge is liable to collapse in a storm. (It is likely to collapse.)
- Violators are liable to prosecution. (They are subject to legal action.)
Variants and Related Words
- Liability (n): The state of being liable; a legal responsibility or obligation; a person or thing that is a disadvantage.
- The car's poor safety record is a major liability for the manufacturer.
- Unliable (adj): (Rare) Not liable.
Synonyms
- Accountable: Responsible for one's actions and expected to explain them.
- Answerable: Required to justify or be responsible for something.
- Prone: Having a tendency or inclination, especially toward something undesirable.
- Susceptible: Likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
- Subject (to): Likely or certain to be affected by something.
Related Phrases
- Strict liability: A legal doctrine where a party is held responsible for damages or injuries, regardless of fault or intent.
- The law imposes strict liability on manufacturers for defective products.
Related Idioms
- "To hold someone liable": To consider or declare someone legally responsible.
- The court held the landlord liable for the tenant's injuries.
Adjective
- held legally responsible
- men between the ages of 18 and 35 were liable for military service
- (often followed by `to') likely to be affected with
- liable to diabetes
- subject to legal action
- liable to criminal charges
- at risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant
- he is apt to lose
- she is liable to forget