pass the buck shift the responsibility for something to someone else. informal

☞ In the 19th century a buck was an object placed as a reminder in front of the person whose turn it was to deal in the game of poker. The object used was often a buckhorn knife: hence buck.

2013New Statesman The time has come to lay these problems at fashion's door, because they must take their fair share of responsibility. Whoever inevitably passes the buck about what goes on outside the Stockholm Centre for Eating Disorders will demonstrate the industry's unwillingness to ever involve themselves in anything beyond how a gypsy skirt hangs.