pass the buck
to make someone else responsible for something that you should deal with

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

pass the buck
to blame someone or to make them responsible for a problem that you should deal with yourself.
Parents often try to pass the buck to teachers when children misbehave in school.
(sometimes + to)
Bus companies are just passing the buck by saying their drivers are responsible for delays.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

pass the buck
to make another person decide something, to put the responsibility or blame on someone else; to shift responsibility to someone else
Our supervisor always passes the buck and he will never take responsibility for what he does.

Our supervisor always tries to pass the buck if someone tries to criticize his work.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

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.
Buck-passing clerks in stores make customers angry.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲