a bad workman always blames his tools
If?someone?performs?a?job?or?task?poorly?or?unsuccessfully,?he?or?she?will?usually?lay?the?blame?on?the?quality?of?his?orher?equipment,?or?other?such?external?factors,?rather?than?take?responsibility?for?his?or?her?own?failure. The football player blamed the overinflated ball for costing his team the game, but as they say, a bad workman always blames his tools.
a bad workman blames his tools
If someone performs a job or task poorly or unsuccessfully, he or she will usually lay the blame on the quality of his or her equipment, or other such external factors, rather than take responsibility for his or her own failure. When Mary blamed the oven for burning the turkey on Thanksgiving, her husband jokingly replied, "a bad workman always blames his tools."