Meaning:
The phrase "devolve on" means that a responsibility or duty is passed down or assigned to someone. It usually indicates that someone is now in charge of a task or decision.
In more advanced contexts, "devolve on" can suggest that the responsibility is not just given casually, but rather is passed down due to a specific situation, such as a failure of leadership or a change in circumstances.
"Devolve" can also mean to deteriorate or to fall into a worse state, although this usage is less common.
While "devolve on" itself is a specific phrase, the concept of transferring responsibility can be expressed through various idioms and phrasal verbs:
In summary, "devolve on" is used to indicate the transfer of responsibility, often in formal situations.