English

Phrase

the buck stops here

1. (idiomatic) A statement that no excuses will be made, that the speaker is going to take direct responsibility for matters, rather than pass the responsibility to higher authorities.
   • 1994 January 25, William J. Clinton, State of the Union Address, 2004 Gutenberg eBook,

     If you will stick with this plan, we will post three consecutive years of declining deficits for the first time since Harry Truman lived in the White House. And once again, the buck stops here.

Usage notes

• Normally affirmed in an emphatic manner, as a promise or commitment.

Related terms

• pass the buck

Translations