The buck stops here

Meaning

The idiom "the buck stops here" means that the responsibility or blame for something rests on a person's shoulders, and that they are ultimately accountable for their actions. It suggests that the person who is using the phrase is taking ownership of a situation and accepting full responsibility for it.

Usage

• "As the boss, I take full responsibility for this project and the buck stops with me."
• "I made a mistake, but I'll own up to it and accept the consequences."
• "The bucks stopped here when we missed our deadline. We need to figure out a way to fix this situation."
• "If something goes wrong in this project, it's on me and the buck stops with me."
• "I apologize for my behavior at that meeting. I know I made a mistake and the buck stops with me."

Roots and History

The idiom "the buck stops here" is believed to have originated in the early days of the American West when cowboys would herd cattle across long distances. If a cow strayed from the herd, the cowboy responsible for watching it would be held accountable and could face penalties or loss of pay. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more broadly in various contexts, but still carries the same meaning of taking responsibility for one's actions.

Synonyms in English

• "The onus is on me."
• "I own this."
• "I am responsible for this."
• "This is my fault."
• "I bear the blame for this."

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "Tengo la culpa" (I have the blame)
• French: "La responsabilité est à moi" (The responsibility is on me)
• German: "Die Verantwortung liegt bei mir" (The responsibility lies with me)
• Italian: "La colpa è mia" (The fault is mine)
• Chinese: "我负责这一部分" (I am responsible for this part)

Similar Idioms

• to the nines

• too many cooks spoil the broth

• flog a dead horse