to lie at one's door

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.An opening in the wall of a house or of an apartment, by which to go in and out; an entrance way. [1913 Webster]

To the same end, men several paths may tread, As many doors into one temple lead.— Denham.[1913 Webster]

2.The frame or barrier of boards, or other material, usually turning on hinges, by which an entrance way into a house or apartment is closed and opened. [1913 Webster]

At last he came unto an iron door That fast was locked.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]

3.Passage; means of approach or access. [1913 Webster]

I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.— John x. 9.[1913 Webster]

4.An entrance way, but taken in the sense of the house or apartment to which it leads. [1913 Webster]

Martin's office is now the second door in the street.— Arbuthnot.[1913 Webster]

Blank door, Blind door, etc. (Arch.) See under Blank, Blind, etc.

In doors, or Within doors, within the house.

Next door to, near to; bordering on. [1913 Webster]

A riot unpunished is but next door to a tumult.— L'Estrange.

Out of doors, or Without doors, and, [colloquially], Out doors, out of the house; in open air; abroad; away; lost. [1913 Webster]

His imaginary title of fatherhood is out of doors.— Locke.

To lay (a fault, misfortune, etc.) at one's door, to charge one with a fault; to blame for.

To lie at one's door, to be imputable or chargeable to. [1913 Webster]

If I have failed, the fault lies wholly at my door.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

Note: Door is used in an adjectival construction or as the first part of a compound (with or without the hyphen), as, door frame, doorbell or door bell, door knob or doorknob, door latch or doorlatch, door jamb, door handle, door mat, door panel. [1913 Webster]