Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

pass-the-buck

idiom
/ˈpæs ðə bʌk/
Definition
To shift responsibility or blame to someone else instead of dealing with it oneself.
Examples
  • During the meeting, she kept passing the buck instead of addressing her mistakes.
  • When things went wrong on the project, John tried to pass the buck to his assistant.
Meaning
This phrase means to avoid responsibility by handing it over to another person or entity, often used when someone is unwilling to face the consequences of their actions.
Synonyms
  • shift the blame
  • avoid responsibility
  • pass the responsibility