Buck stops here
/bʌk stɑps hɪər/
B2
Definition
This phrase means that the speaker takes full responsibility for a problem or decision. It is often used by leaders or people in charge to say they will handle the consequences and not blame others. It comes from a longer saying about passing responsibility like a "buck" (a dollar or token) that stops with them.
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See It in Action
Accepting full responsibility for a decision or problem
- •The manager said, "The buck stops here," to show she would handle the team's mistakes.
- •When the project failed, the leader said, "The buck stops here," taking all the blame.
- •In the meeting, he declared, "The buck stops here," so no one else was blamed.
A statement of leadership and accountability
- •The CEO's office had a sign that read, "The buck stops here."
- •Saying "The buck stops here" means you are the final decision-maker.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "buck stops here" like "I am responsible," but stronger because it means no one else will take the blame
- ✓Picture a person holding a small token or coin called a "buck" and refusing to pass it on to someone else
- ✓It's the feeling when you accept a problem and say, "I will fix this," even if it's hard or risky
- ✓Sounds like "buck stops here" → imagine a buck (like a dollar bill) stopping at a door where the person stands firmly
- ✓Remember famous leaders like U.S. President Harry Truman who had a sign on his desk saying "The buck stops here" to show he accepted responsibility
- ✓NOT like "pass the buck" (which means to give responsibility to someone else), "buck stops here" means you keep responsibility yourself
- ✓NOT like "blame" (which means to say someone else caused the problem), this phrase means you accept blame yourself
- ✓NOT like "ignore" or "avoid," because it means facing the problem directly
Try Other Words
- •I am responsible: meaning you accept responsibility (Use when speaking more simply or casually)
- •I take full responsibility: meaning you accept all blame or credit (Use in formal situations)
- •The responsibility lies with me: meaning you are the person who must answer for something (Use in official or serious contexts)
Unboxing
- •"buck": originally a token or marker passed in card games to show whose turn it is; also slang for a dollar
- •"stops": verb meaning to end or not continue
- •"here": adverb meaning at this place or with this person
- •Phrase origin: From American English, popularized in mid-20th century politics and business, especially by U.S. President Harry Truman
- •Meaning evolved from the idea of passing responsibility ("passing the buck") to finally stopping it with one person who accepts it
- •Modern usage: Often used by leaders or in business to show accountability and leadership
Reflect & Connect
•When is it important for a person to say "The buck stops here" in a group or team?
•How does accepting responsibility affect how others trust or respect a leader?
Fill in the blanks
1.When the problem became serious, the manager said, "The buck stops here," meaning she would ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.
2.Saying "The buck stops here" shows that the person will not ___ responsibility to others.
3.Unlike "pass the buck," which means to give responsibility away, "buck stops here" means to ___ responsibility.
4.Leaders often use "The buck stops here" to show they accept ___ for decisions.
5.If someone says "The buck stops here," we can infer they are ready to ___ the problem themselves.
6.The phrase "The buck stops here" is often seen on signs in ___ or offices of important people.
7.When you say "The buck stops here," you are saying you will not ___ the blame for mistakes.