Pass the Buck – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever been in a situation where something went wrong—and instead of taking responsibility, a person quickly said, “It wasn’t me!” or “Ask someone else”? In English, we say they’re passing the buck! This clear idiom describes the act of avoiding blame or responsibility by shifting it to someone else.
What Does “Pass the Buck” Mean?
“Pass the buck” means to avoid taking responsibility for a problem or decision by blaming or redirecting it to another person. Think of it like a game where a token (the “buck”) gets passed around until it lands on someone else—you’re just trying to get rid of it! The phrase isn’t about money; it’s a direct way to say, “Don’t look at me—talk to them!”
When to Use It
Use this phrase in casual or professional conversations when someone dodges accountability—like in team projects, customer service, politics, or family discussions. It’s often used critically, to point out unfair blame-shifting. This idiom is informal but widely understood—great for everyday chats, not formal reports.
Example Sentences
- Every time there’s a mistake, he passes the buck to his assistant.
- Don’t pass the buck—own up to your part in this.
- The manager passed the buck to IT, but the real issue was poor planning.
- In a good team, no one passes the buck when things go wrong.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “The client is furious—the wrong files were sent!”
Jamie: “I know, but Sarah said it was your job to review them.”
Alex: “Oh, so she’s passing the buck again?”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use this phrase when someone is simply delegating a task. “Passing the buck” only applies when someone is avoiding *blame or responsibility*—not when they’re assigning work appropriately.
❌ Don’t say: “My boss passed the buck to me by giving me the report.” (That’s delegation, not blame-shifting.)
✅ Do say: “He passed the buck when the report had errors—even though he approved it.”
Practice Tip
Next time someone avoids blame by pointing fingers, say: “Stop passing the buck—let’s fix this together.” It’s a firm but fair way to encourage accountability in English.
Final Note
Now you can use “pass the buck” to call out unfair blame-shifting with clarity and confidence! It’s a strong, practical phrase that values honesty and responsibility. Keep using it—and remember, real leadership means holding the buck, not passing it.