Passing the Buck
/ˈpæsɪŋ ðə bʌk/
Definitions
- (idiom) The act of shifting responsibility or blame from oneself to another party, especially in legal or administrative contexts.
The manager was accused of passing the buck instead of addressing the compliance issues.
Forms
- passing the buck
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Commonly involves avoidance of legal or ethical responsibility; useful to clarify in contracts or organizational policies to prevent ambiguity.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.