THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Pass the buck
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To shift a problem or responsibility you should handle onto someone else.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- We should solve the booking problem instead of trying to pass the buck.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
We should solve the booking problem instead of trying to ________.
Show the answer
Pass the buck — To shift a problem or responsibility you should handle onto someone else.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Pass the buck” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
To shift a problem or responsibility you should handle onto someone else.
Compare: We should solve the booking problem instead of trying to pass the buck.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this disapproving expression when someone avoids taking responsibility. It suits a criticism of a specific action, but explain who was responsible and what happened.
More examples in context
- The coordinator passed the buck by blaming the volunteer for a decision she had made herself.
- Nobody wanted to pass the buck, so the team agreed who would fix each issue.
Usage note
The past form is passed the buck. To can name the person receiving the responsibility. Legitimately handing a task to its responsible owner is not automatically passing the buck; the phrase implies avoidance.
A short conversation
A: Who will deal with the missing confirmation?
B: It was my task. I should not pass the buck.
A: Thanks. Please contact the venue and update us.
One more practice question
Which action is passing the buck?
A. Blaming someone else for a problem you were responsible for handling.
B. Acknowledging your responsibility and arranging a solution.
Check your answer
A. The person avoids a responsibility that belongs to them.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.