the buck stops at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the buck stops at" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a person is responsible for a decision or action, emphasizing accountability. Example: "In this organization, the buck stops at the CEO, who must ultimately make the final decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The buck stops at his desk.

The New York Times

"The buck stops at the top," the official responded.

The New Yorker

While these players underperformed, the buck stops at Scolari.

The Guardian - Sport

Suddenly, "the buck stops at the top" argument is nowhere to be found.

The Guardian - Opinion

For many species the buck stops at the door of us gardeners.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The buck stops at the top, as Burrows acknowledged when he resigned.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Yet he acknowledged that the buck stopped at his desk.

The New York Times - Sports

When it comes to mass transit, let the buck stop at City Hall, along with the number 2, 3, 5 and 6 trains.

Huffington Post

With the buck stopping at my hairy legs and the disapproving looks all directed there, I felt exempt from the countless other physical expectations of women.

Huffington Post

After all, the buck stopped at his desk as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), and he was apparently too busy to address that horrible reality since he was so preoccupied with playing the 20th century Torquemada, hounding and silencing the voices of justice, generosity, intelligence and creativity among theologians and pastoral leaders.

Huffington Post

In other words, the buck stops here: at what merits gustatory pleasure.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase “the buck stops at” to clearly indicate where the ultimate responsibility for a decision or action lies within an organization or situation.

Common error

Avoid using “the buck stops at” to deflect blame onto someone who doesn't genuinely have the final authority or accountability. Make sure the person you're assigning responsibility to is indeed the one ultimately in charge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the buck stops at" is an idiomatic expression used to assign ultimate responsibility to a specific person or entity. Ludwig AI indicates its common usage in diverse contexts. The examples show that the expression typically appears in statements asserting accountability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the buck stops at" is a common idiom used to clearly assign ultimate responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and broad applicability, particularly in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of its potential informality and consider more direct alternatives like "responsibility lies with" in formal settings. When using "the buck stops at", ensure you're accurately assigning accountability to the appropriate person or entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ultimate responsibility lies with

Emphasizes the final level of accountability.

Final accountability is with

Stresses the concluding nature of the responsibility.

Responsibility rests with

Focuses on where the duty lies instead of an idiom.

Accountability lies with

Highlights the obligation to answer for outcomes.

The onus is on

Emphasizes the burden of proof or action.

The responsibility falls on

Highlights the allocation of responsibility.

The burden of proof is on

Highlights the accountability to bring evidence.

The last word belongs to

Indicates the person who has the authority to make the final decision.

The decision-making power resides with

Highlights the authority to make choices.

The final decision is made by

Focuses on the act of making the ultimate choice and the actor.

FAQs

How can I use "the buck stops at" in a sentence?

You can use "the buck stops at" to indicate where the ultimate responsibility lies. For example, "In this company, "the buck stops at" the CEO's desk."

What's a less idiomatic alternative to "the buck stops at"?

Alternatives include "responsibility lies with" or "accountability rests with", which are more direct and less figurative.

Is it appropriate to use "the buck stops at" in formal writing?

While "the buck stops at" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using "ultimate responsibility lies with" for a more professional tone.

What does it mean when someone says "the buck stops here"?

It means that they are taking full responsibility and will not pass the blame to anyone else. It's often used by leaders to show they are accountable for the outcomes, whether positive or negative.