Meanings
May have originated with the game of poker, in which a marker or counter, frequently in frontier days a knife with a buckhorn handle, was used to indicate the person whose turn it was to deal. If the player did not wish to deal he could pass the responsibility by passing the "buckhorn" or "buck", as the marker came to be called, to the next player.
How to pronounce "pass the buck":
AU
To transfer responsibility or blame from oneself onto another; to absolve oneself of concern for a given matter by claiming to lack authority or jurisdiction.
Example Sentences
1
Instead of taking responsibility, he always tries to pass the buck onto someone else.
2
When confronted about his mistake, he immediately tried to pass the buck.
3
She refused to pass the buck and took full responsibility for her actions.
4
The politician tried to pass the buck by blaming his opponent for the failed policies.
