pass the buck

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.}