liable
Legally responsible for something
Responsible by law for something bad that happens, often having to pay money for it.
liable for [something]
- The court found the company liable for the customer's injuries.
- Under the contract, the supplier is liable for any defects in the products.
- Parents can be held liable for damage caused by their minor children.
- If you sign this agreement, you will be liable for all repair costs.
- The landlord was not liable for items left in the hallway.
- The driver was liable for the car accident.
- The hotel is liable for things that are stolen from the safe.
- In this country, employers are liable for workplace accidents.
- If you break it, you are liable for the cost.
- The company is liable for any harm caused by its products.
Likely to do something bad
Likely to do something, especially something bad or not wanted.
liable to [do something]
- He's liable to forget your birthday if you don't remind him.
- That old laptop is liable to crash if you open too many programs.
- Be careful what you say; she's liable to take it the wrong way.
- The weather here is liable to change very quickly.
- If you push him too hard, he's liable to quit.
- He is liable to be late for meetings.
- This cheap phone is liable to break soon.
- The train is liable to arrive late in bad weather.
- She is tired, so she is liable to make mistakes.
- If you eat too fast, you are liable to feel sick.
Prone or susceptible to something
Easily affected by something, like an illness or damage.
liable to [something]
- Children are more liable to infection than adults.
- This material is very liable to damage if it gets wet.
- The region is liable to flooding after heavy rain.
- Older buildings are especially liable to earthquake damage.
- Some people are more liable to error when they are under pressure.
- My skin is liable to sunburn.
- Old cars are liable to rust.
- This road is liable to flooding in winter.
- He is weak and liable to illness.
- The glass is thin and liable to break.
Legally subject to tax or penalty
Having to pay a tax or possibly receive a legal punishment according to the law.
liable to [tax/penalty]
- All imported goods are liable to tax at the standard rate.
- Anyone who commits fraud is liable to imprisonment under this law.
- Certain benefits are not liable to income tax.
- Drivers caught speeding may be liable to a substantial fine.
- Foreign nationals without a visa are liable to deportation.
- In this country, all workers are liable to income tax.
- If you park here, you are liable to a fine.
- Smoking in this area is liable to a heavy penalty.
- The company is liable to prosecution if it breaks the safety rules.
- The products are liable to customs duty at the border.
- Base: liable
be held liable
1Be officially found responsible
To be officially decided, usually by a court or authority, to be legally responsible for something bad that happened.
- The manufacturer was held liable after the product caused serious injuries.
- If the data is leaked, the company could be held liable under privacy laws.
- The landlord was held liable for failing to repair the broken stairs.
hold someone liable
1Decide someone is legally responsible
To officially say that a person or group must accept legal responsibility for something bad that happened.
- The court held the surgeon liable for the patient's death.
- The tenants argue that the building owner should be held liable for the fire.
- Regulators may hold the company liable for any environmental damage.
liable for damages
1Responsible for paying compensation
Legally required to pay money to someone because you caused loss, injury, or harm.
- The firm was found liable for damages after the data breach.
- If you break the contract, you may be liable for damages.
- The insurance company is liable for damages up to $50,000.
liable for tax
1Required to pay tax
Having to pay a particular tax according to the law.
- Most employees are liable for tax on their salaries.
- Scholarships may not be liable for tax in some countries.
- Foreign income can be liable for tax in your home country.
liable to tax
1Legally subject to taxation
In a group of things that the government can legally tax.
- Pension payments are liable to tax at the normal rate.
- Certain benefits are not liable to tax under this scheme.
- All interest earned may be liable to tax in your country of residence.
personally liable
1Individually responsible with own money
Responsible with your own money and property, not just through a company or organization.
- As a sole trader, you are personally liable for all business debts.
- Directors can be personally liable if they act dishonestly.
- Without limited liability, investors would be personally liable for company losses.
strictly liable
1Liable even without proving fault
Legally responsible for harm even if nobody can show that you were careless or did something wrong.
- In some product cases, manufacturers are strictly liable for defects.
- The company is strictly liable for pollution caused by its pipeline.
- Owners of dangerous animals may be strictly liable for any injuries.