THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Have a lot to answer for
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Be responsible for causing serious problems or an unpleasant situation.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- In the story, the careless organisers have a lot to answer for after ignoring the warnings.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
In the story, the careless organisers ________ after ignoring the warnings.
Show the answer
Have a lot to answer for — Be responsible for causing serious problems or an unpleasant situation.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Have a lot to answer for” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
Be responsible for causing serious problems or an unpleasant situation.
Compare: In the story, the careless organisers have a lot to answer for after ignoring the warnings.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this critical expression when placing blame. It can sound accusatory, so make sure the context supports the criticism rather than using it for a neutral request for information.
More examples in context
- The fictional company has a lot to answer for over the unsafe bridge.
- Those misleading instructions have a lot to answer for; half the class completed the wrong task.
Usage note
This means being responsible for trouble, rather than simply having many questions to answer. “For” can introduce the problem: “a lot to answer for over the delays” is another common pattern.
A short conversation
A: Why did so many teams arrive at the wrong place?
B: The organisers have a lot to answer for. They sent out an incorrect address.
A: They need to explain what happened.
One more practice question
What does “The organisers have a lot to answer for” imply?
A. They are being praised for perfect organisation.
B. They bear responsibility for problems.
Check your answer
B. The phrase assigns blame for an unpleasant result.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.