| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Fault. | | |
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(French, faute, Latin, fallo, to fail.) | 1 |
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For fault of a better (Shakespeare: Merry Wives, i. 4). Having no better. | 2 |
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“I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worse.”—Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, ii. 4. |
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In fault. To blame. | 3 |
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| “Is Antony or we in fault for this?” | |
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Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra, iii. 13. |
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To a fault: In excess; as, kind to a fault. Excess of every good is more or less evil. | 4 |
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To find fault. To blame; to express disapprobation. | 5 |
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