This is a companion to yesterday’s malaphor, “the fish rots from the top”.  Interestingly, this malaphor was heard on the same show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, regarding the same subject: discussion of a Trump official remarking about John McCain dying soon.  This one was spoken by Ginger Gibson, Reuters political correspondent.  It is a mashup of “the buck stops here” (taking full responsibility) and “top of the ladder (food chain)” (the position of most importance).  A big shout out to Beatrice Zablocki who heard this one and sent it in.