Collocations for fault - noun
1. responsibility for sth wrong
ADJ.
stupid
It''s his own stupid fault his car was stolen - he should have kept it locked.
It''s his own stupid fault his car was stolen - he should have kept it locked.
FAULT + VERB
lie with sb
The fault lay not with her but with her manager.
The fault lay not with her but with her manager.
PREP.
at ~
The party at fault in a court case usually pays the other party''s legal costs.
The party at fault in a court case usually pays the other party''s legal costs.
through sb''s ~
Many of the soldiers died through his fault.
Many of the soldiers died through his fault.
without ~
Having made an error of judgement she was not without fault in the matter.
Having made an error of judgement she was not without fault in the matter.
PHRASES
be all/entirely your (own) fault
It''s all your own fault, you know.
It''s all your own fault, you know.
be largely/partly your (own) fault, be hardly your (own) fault, fault on sb''s part
(law) the absence of fault on the part of the prosecution
(law) the absence of fault on the part of the prosecution
through no fault of your own
helping people who, through no fault of their own, have lost their homes
helping people who, through no fault of their own, have lost their homes
2. weakness in sb''s character
ADJ.
great
Her great fault was that she thought too well of herself.
Her great fault was that she thought too well of herself.
moral
VERB + FAULT
have
We all have our faults.
We all have our faults.
be blind to, overlook
He is blind to his son''s faults. | She was prepared to overlook his faults.
He is blind to his son''s faults. | She was prepared to overlook his faults.
PREP.
~ in
Incorrectness in speech was considered a great fault in a gentleman.
Incorrectness in speech was considered a great fault in a gentleman.
PHRASES
for all sb''s faults
For all her faults (= in spite of her faults) she was a great woman.
For all her faults (= in spite of her faults) she was a great woman.
to a fault
He is generous to a fault (= very generous and perhaps too generous).
He is generous to a fault (= very generous and perhaps too generous).
3. sth wrong or not perfect with sth
ADJ.
bad, major, serious | basic
There is a basic fault in the design of the engine. It cannot be fixed.
There is a basic fault in the design of the engine. It cannot be fixed.
dangerous | minor | common
a common fault with this type of machine
a common fault with this type of machine
real
The only real fault of the book is its looseness of structure.
The only real fault of the book is its looseness of structure.
obvious | possible | design | technical | electrical, engine, mechanical, structural
Of course, minor mechanical faults sometimes occur.
Of course, minor mechanical faults sometimes occur.
VERB + FAULT
have
The engine has a serious fault.
The engine has a serious fault.
develop
The car soon developed another fault.
The car soon developed another fault.
look for | diagnose, discover, find, identify, locate
They''ve found a major fault with the electrical system. | When she tested the recorder she could find no fault with it.
They''ve found a major fault with the electrical system. | When she tested the recorder she could find no fault with it.
find, pick
My mother did nothing but find fault with my schoolboy manners. | He''s deliberately picking fault with the meal to get a reduction on the bill.
My mother did nothing but find fault with my schoolboy manners. | He''s deliberately picking fault with the meal to get a reduction on the bill.
correct, fix, rectify, repair
trying to correct the faults in the program
trying to correct the faults in the program
report
You should report any fault directly to the phone company.
You should report any fault directly to the phone company.
FAULT + VERB
occur | lie in sth
The fault lay in the structure of the economy.
The fault lay in the structure of the economy.
FAULT + NOUN
detection, diagnosis, finding
PREP.
~ in
Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.
Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.
~ with
She was always finding fault with his manners.
She was always finding fault with his manners.
PHRASES
for all its faults
For all its faults (= in spite of the faults), we love this city.
For all its faults (= in spite of the faults), we love this city.
4. in tennis
ADJ.
double | foot
VERB + FAULT
serve
Even tennis champions sometimes serve double faults.
Even tennis champions sometimes serve double faults.
5. geology
ADJ.
geological
FAULT + NOUN
line | scarp | system, zone