PhrasesHub

The buck stops here

    Definitions

      • taking responsibility
        Accepting accountability for a decision or action, and not passing it on to someone else

      • final authority
        Indicating that the speaker has the ultimate decision-making power in a situation

    Examples of The buck stops here

    • In order to address the ongoing issue of employee burnout, the company's CEO announced, "The buck stops here. I will be taking a more hands-on approach to finding solutions and holding myself accountable for the effectiveness of those solutions."

      This idiom is often used to indicate that the person speaking is taking responsibility for a problem and will take action to resolve it. In this example, the CEO is acknowledging the seriousness of the issue and is committed to being a part of the solution. It emphasizes the importance of leadership, accountability, and taking ownership of one's actions. The image of a buck stopping at one's feet suggests that the person has reached the end of the line and must now grapple with the consequences of their actions or inaction. In this context, the CEO is indicating that they are now the one who will face the consequences of the company's difficulties and will actively work to overcome them.

    • As the project manager, it's my responsibility to see this project through to completion. The buck stops here, and I won't pass the blame on to anyone else.

      In this example, "The buck stops here" is used to emphasize that the person speaking (the project manager) is fully accountable for the success or failure of the project. It means that they will not blame others or pass on the responsibility, but rather take ownership of the situation.

    • When it comes to decision-making, I'm the one who makes the final call. The buck stops here, and I'll stand by my choices.

      Here, "The buck stops here" is used to indicate that the person speaking has ultimate authority in making decisions. They're responsible for the consequences of their choices, and won't defer to others or avoid taking action.

    • I'm sorry for the mistake, but I take full responsibility. The buck stops here, and I'll do whatever it takes to fix the problem.

      This example uses "The buck stops here" to indicate that the person speaking is taking ownership of a mistake or failure. They're acknowledging that it falls under their domain of responsibility, and are committed to rectifying the situation.

    • In this office, we believe in taking ownership of our work. The buck stops here, and we're proud to stand by our choices.

      In this final example, "The buck stops here" is used to emphasize a culture of accountability and responsibility in the workplace. It suggests that everyone is committed to taking ownership of their work and making informed decisions, without passing blame onto others.


    Conclusion

    "The buck stops here" is a powerful phrase that conveys the idea of taking responsibility and being the final authority on a matter. It can be used to signal that the speaker is not going to pass the blame onto someone else and is willing to accept the consequences of their actions. It can also be used to assert one's authority and decision-making power in a particular situation.

    Origin of "The buck stops here"

    The idiom "The buck stops here" is often attributed to former US President Harry S. Truman, who had a sign with this phrase on his desk in the Oval Office. The phrase is believed to have originated from poker, where a buckhorn knife with a buck's horn handle was used as a marker to indicate the person whose turn it was to deal the cards. This marker would "stop" with the person who was responsible for dealing, hence the phrase "the buck stops here" came to symbolize taking responsibility. Over time, the phrase has evolved to represent the idea of not passing on responsibility and being the final authority.