pass the buck

by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates

[pass the buck] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make another person decide something or accept a responsibility or give orders instead of doing it yourself; shift or escape responsibility or blame; put the duty or blame on someone else.

* /Mrs. Brown complained to the man who sold her the bad meat, but he only passed the buck and told her to see the manager./

* /If you break a window, do not pass the buck; admit that you did it./

Compare: LET GEORGE DO IT. — [buck-passer] {n. phr.}

A person who passes the buck.

* /Mr. Jones was a buck-passer even at home, and tried to make his wife make all the decisions./

- [buck-passing] {n.}

or {adj.}

* /Buck-passing clerks in stores make customers angry./

Tags:


	blame ²⁵ {adj.} ³²⁴ {informal} ¹⁴⁰¹ {n. phr.} ⁵³⁰ {n.} ⁹¹² {v. phr.} ²¹⁸³

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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	See also »
	buck passer [buck passer], [buck-passing] See: PASS THE BUCK. A Dictionary of American Idioms fast buck [fast buck] or [quick buck] {slang} Money earned quickly and easily, and sometimes dishonestly. * ... A Dictionary of American Idioms buck [buck] See: FAST BUCK or QUICK BUCK, PASS THE BUCK. A Dictionary of American Idioms buck up [buck up] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make or become more cheerful; make or become free ... A Dictionary of American Idioms make a quick buck [make a quick buck] See: FAST BUCK. A Dictionary of American Idioms let George do it [let George do it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To expect someone else to do the work ... A Dictionary of American Idioms quick buck [quick buck] See: FAST BUCK. A Dictionary of American Idioms

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