Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- phrase idiomatic A statement that no
excuses will be made, that the speaker is going to takedirect responsibility for matters, rather than pass the responsibility to higher authorities.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Popularized by US president Harry Truman. The phrase is based on the metaphorical expression passing the buck, derived from poker gameplay, that came to mean "passing blame", or absolving oneself of responsibility or concern by denying authority or jurisdiction over a given matter.
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Examples
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