Pass the buck.
/pæs ðə bʌk/
Shift responsibility to another.
Pass the buck" is an idiom meaning to shift responsibility onto someone else. Its origins trace back to card games, where a "buck" was a marker that indicated who was in charge of the deal. By passing the buck, one could avoid dealing and the responsibilities that came with it. In modern usage, this phrase is often associated with avoiding accountability in professional and personal contexts, highlighting the importance of responsibility in trustworthy relationships.
Example Sentences
Stop trying to pass the buck!
The first sample admonishes someone for trying to shift responsibility.
He always tries to pass the buck when things go wrong.
The second sample discusses a person's consistent behavior of blaming others when problems arise.
It’s not fair for team leaders to pass the buck instead of addressing issues themselves.
The third sample criticizes leaders who avoid their responsibilities by making others responsible unfairly.
