pass the buck推卸責任。這個習語源自於撲克牌遊戲。為了防止作弊,遊戲的每一輪都要換人發牌。
輪到發牌的人,會拿到一個識別物(稱為buck),所以pass the buck在牌桌上指不擔任發牌的工作,引申為推卸責任。
看看老外聊天時怎麼用pass the buck:
Karen: God! When is the last time you cleaned up the living room?
Jimmy: Don't look at me. I hardly use the living room.
Karen: So it's your roommate? He should clean up the mess.
Jimmy: I' ve told him that. But he always passes the buck.
Karen: If I were you, I would move out as soon as possible.
卡倫:天哪!你上次打掃客廳是什麼時候?
吉米:別看我,我幾乎不用客廳。卡倫:所以是你室友弄的?他真真該清理這些髒亂的東西。
吉米:我和他說過了,但他總是推卸責任。
卡倫:如果我是你,我肯定會儘早搬走。
pass the buck例句精選:
If you break a glass, do not pass the buck.
如果你打碎了玻璃,別推卸責任,承認就好了。
David says the responsibility is Mr Smith's and it's no good trying to pass the buck.
戴維說責任在史密斯先生,企圖推脫責任是沒有用的。
If you break a glass, do not pass the buck, admit that you did it.
如果你打碎了玻璃杯,不要把責任推到別人身上,並且承認那是你幹的。
You must take full blame, don't pass the buck.
你應該承擔全責,不要推卸責任。
拓展學習:
dodge 躲避;閃避
shirk 逃避義務或責任
inequitablee 不公平的
cop out 放棄;逃避
duck out of 避免做某事
take upon oneself 承擔責任