If people or things are liable to something unpleasant, they are likely to experience it or do it.
She will grow into a woman particularly liable to depression.
她将变成一个特别易于消沉的女人。
This makes the muscles of the airways liable to constriction.
这易令气管肌肉发生收缩。
If you are liable for something such as a debt, you are legally responsible for it.
legally responsible
The airline's insurer is liable for damages to the victims' families.
航空公司投保的保险公司对遇难者家庭的损失负法律责任。
As the killings took place outside British jurisdiction, the Ministry of Defence could not be held liable.
由于谋杀发生在英国管辖区外,不能认为国防部长对此负法律责任。
be liable to
When something is liable to happen, it is very likely to happen.
likely to
Only a small minority of the mentally ill are liable to harm themselves or others.
只有极少数的精神病人很有可能伤害到自己或他人。
He is liable to change his mind quite rapidly.
他经常很快就改变主意。