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pass the buck

to shift responsibility to someone else

In Headline Expressions

In more detail

(idiom) to refuse to accept responsibility for something and give the responsibility to someone else instead

Examples

• The manager tried to pass the buck by blaming the team instead of taking responsibility for the failed project.

How to use pass the buck

This idiom describes the act of avoiding responsibility by transferring it to another person, typically implying an attempt to escape blame or consequences. It is commonly used in workplace, political, or interpersonal contexts to criticize someone's evasiveness. The tone is mildly disapproving, suggesting dishonesty or cowardice rather than legitimate delegation.

Common phrases

• pass the buck to someone
• pass the buck around
• stop passing the buck
• pass the buck down the line
• refuse to pass the buck

Synonyms

shift responsibility · deflect blame · shirk responsibility · push the problem onto someone else · dodge accountability

Opposites

take responsibility · own up · accept blame

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'pass the buck' to mean legitimate delegation of tasks, but it specifically implies irresponsible avoidance of accountability rather than appropriate task assignment.

Nearby in Headline Expressions

a race to the bottom, double down, walk back, sit on the fence, a red line, a smoking gun

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained