buck-passing

noun

ˈbək-ˌpa-siŋ

: the avoidance of a responsibility by giving it to someone else : an act or instance of passing the buck

buck passer noun

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of buck-passing was in 1912

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Browse Nearby Words

bucko

buck-passing

buckplate

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Buck-passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buck-passing. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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Last Updated: 4 Nov 2025 - Definition revised

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