the buck stops here

USAGE SUMMARY

"the buck stops here" is a common phrase used in written English.
It is often used when referring to a situation or decision that someone holds final responsibility for. For example, "As the leader of the team, the buck stops with me - I'll make the final call on this one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Whatever happened to "the buck stops here"?

The New York Times

There is no question the buck stops here.

The New York Times - Sports

Political leaders normally accept that "the buck stops here".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Truman said, 'The buck stops here,' " Mr. Popkin said.

The New York Times

She remembers which president said, "The buck stops here".

The New York Times

The buck stops here does not refer to Secretary Rumsfeld.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"He's supposed to be 'the buck stops here' kind of guy.

The New York Times

And the buck stops here sort of thing.

TechCrunch

As the adage goes: the buck stops here - with me.

Huffington Post

Clinton said yesterday what Obama and Biden have failed to say: The buck stops here.

The New York Times

Because people want to know that the buck-stops-here person is committed to continuing to invest and do things.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the buck stops here" to clearly signal that you are accepting ultimate responsibility for a decision or outcome, especially in leadership positions.

Common error

Avoid using "the buck stops here" immediately after blaming others. It undermines the message of accountability and can appear insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the buck stops here" functions as an idiomatic expression used to assert accountability and acceptance of ultimate responsibility. Ludwig examples show its use by political leaders, CEOs, and others in positions of authority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the buck stops here" is a very common idiomatic expression used to indicate that someone is taking ultimate responsibility for a situation. Originating from a phrase popularized by Harry Truman, it signifies a willingness to be held accountable. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily used in neutral to professional contexts, especially within News & Media sources. While there are several alternative ways to express this sentiment, such as "I take full responsibility", it's important to use the phrase sincerely and avoid any actions that contradict the message of accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I take full responsibility

Focuses directly on accepting accountability.

I am accountable

Emphasizes being answerable for actions or outcomes.

The responsibility rests with me

Indicates that the obligation lies with the speaker.

I'm in charge

Highlights leadership and ultimate decision-making power, implying accountability.

I'm to blame

Directly accepts fault or culpability.

It's my fault

A simpler, more direct way of accepting blame.

I own this

Implies taking ownership of a situation, including its consequences.

I'll carry the can

An idiomatic way of saying one will bear the burden of responsibility.

I'll face the music

Signifies accepting the consequences of one's actions.

The onus is on me

States that the duty or burden of proof lies with the speaker.

FAQs

What does "the buck stops here" mean?

The phrase "the buck stops here" means that someone is willing to take full responsibility for the final outcome of something, regardless of who else may have been involved.

Who popularized the phrase "the buck stops here"?

Harry Truman, the 33rd U.S. President, famously had a sign on his desk with the saying "the buck stops here", which is widely credited for popularizing the idiom.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "the buck stops here"?

It is appropriate to use the phrase "the buck stops here" when you want to emphasize that you are taking ownership of a situation and accepting accountability for its results, especially in a leadership role.

What are some alternative ways to say "the buck stops here"?

You can use alternatives such as "I take full responsibility", "I am accountable", or "the responsibility rests with me" depending on the context.