Final answer:
The phrase 'hold sb responsible for sth' implies an expectation for a person to be accountable for their actions or responsibilities within a role, and it's often associated with both positive and negative outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'hold sb responsible for sth' means to hold someone accountable for something. This implies that a person is being recognized as the one who should answer or take the consequences for an action, task, or decision. It often entails a sense of blame or responsibility for negative outcomes but may also relate to being answerable for fulfilling the roles or duties expected in a certain situation. For example, in many jobs, a manager may outline expectations and, though they may not specify how tasks should be accomplished, an employee will be held accountable if they fail to meet these expectations.
On the contrary, some people might employ the Denial of Responsibility, which happens when they refuse to acknowledge their own part in a situation, shifting blame onto others. For instance, if someone blames lacking financial compensation for their inability to achieve work goals, they're denying responsibility for their actions or performance by attributing their shortcomings to external factors.