fault

Everyday

1. If something is your fault, you are the one who caused a mistake or a bad thing. tree →
2. A fault is a weak or bad part in someone's character: «His only fault is that he is late». tree →
3. A fault is something wrong in a machine: «an electrical fault». tree →
4. In science, a fault is a crack in the Earth's crust where rocks move. tree →
5. In tennis, a fault is a bad serve. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, saying «it was my fault» and saying sorry is honest; blaming others for your fault is unfair. In safety, an electrical fault can cause fires, so tell an adult if a plug sparks. In geography, earthquakes happen along faults, like the San Andreas Fault in California. Phrases: «my fault», «not your fault», «find fault with» (complain about), «at fault» (responsible).

Examples

• It's not your fault that it rained. tree →
• Sorry, it was my fault — I broke the vase. tree →
• The machine stopped because of a fault. tree →
• Everyone has faults. tree →
• Earthquakes happen along faults in the ground. tree →
• She always finds fault with my drawings. tree →
• The driver who crashed was at fault. tree →
• If an adult hurts you, it is never your fault. tree →

Note

Countable. «Faulty» means not working properly. Note the silent-ish «l»: say «fawlt». Do not confuse «fault» with «false».

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it means a wrong or a failing, as in the butler's faults or the Israelites blamed for the bricks. In the Writings it also means a flaw or blame, such as hidden faults or an enemy finding no fault in someone.

Interpretation. The butler's "faults" are read as his remembering, at last, that he had forgotten Joseph. In Egypt, blaming the people shows how Pharaoh's officers twisted the blame. Daniel, in whom no fault was found, is read as a model of faithful and honest service.

Examples

• Then spoke the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying: 'I make mention of my faults this day: (Torah GEN.41.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us: Make brick; and, behold, thy servants are beaten, but the fault is in thine own people.' (Torah EXO.5.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Clear Thou me from hidden faults. (Writings PSA.19.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• Without my fault, they run and prepare themselves; awake Thou to help me, and behold. (Writings PSA.59.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. (Writings DAN.6.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. «Faulty» means not working properly. Note the silent-ish «l»: say «fawlt». Do not confuse «fault» with «false».