1

Is the phrase "...and who can blame him?" ever used in a sarcastic or rhetorical manner when referring to someone who is in reality very blameworthy?

What is the meaning that is conveyed when this term is used generally?

Improve this question
2
  • Who can blame him? usually means that the person under consideration has made a reasonable choice under the circumstances.
    – deadrat
    Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 5:12
  • It can also be said about an action without any better alternatives, even if the action itself seems ill-advised.
    – Helmar
    Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 6:26

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

I don't (or can't) blame you (or her etc.) — ODO

Used to indicate that one agrees that the action or attitude taken was reasonable

"he was becoming impatient and I couldn’t blame him"
"If you are confused by all this, I don't blame you."
"I guess I can't blame him for being impatient, if indeed he is and not simply excited."

When it is changed to "Who can blame him?", it's almost always a rhetorical question that means the same thing as "I don't blame him".

See usage examples in Google Books

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .