buck

Everyday

1. (informal, USA, Canada, Australia, NZ) A dollar. tree →
2. A male deer, rabbit or hare. tree →
3. (verb) Of a horse: to jump with its back arched and kick its back legs. tree →
4. pass the buck: to make someone else responsible. tree →
5. buck up (informal): cheer up or hurry up. tree →

In the lessons

In casual talk and real-speech maths problems: "it cost 5 bucks" means 5 dollars. In nature: a buck and a doe. Phrases: make a quick buck, pass the buck, buck the trend, buck up, the buck stops here.

Examples

• The ice cream cost three bucks. tree →
• Can you lend me ten bucks? tree →
• A buck has antlers; a doe does not. tree →
• The horse bucked and threw the rider. tree →
• Buck up, it's not that bad! tree →
• Don't pass the buck: it was your job. tree →
• He made a few bucks washing cars. tree →
• A doe now, or even a young buck? tree →

Note

Slang for money: buck = dollar (not cents). In maths "20 bucks" = 20 dollars. Female deer is a doe; in rabbits, buck and doe too. "Bucks" plural; "a buck" = one dollar.