lay at someone's door

lay (something) at (one's) door

To assign blame or responsibility to one for something. The mayor wasn't directly involved, but the voters are going to lay this scandal at his door. We're short-staffed, so my boss is laying a lot of random stuff at my door.See also: door, lay

lay at someone's door

Impute or lay the blame on someone; make someone responsible for something (usually discreditable). For example, That this law failed to pass can be laid at your door, Senator. [c. 1700] See also: door, lay