A whipping boy Meaning in English
expression · lemma: whipping boy
Definition
A person who is unfairly blamed or punished for the mistakes or problems caused by others.
Usage & Nuances
Mainly idiomatic, used in both formal and informal contexts to mean 'scapegoat'. Common with 'be made the whipping boy', 'serve as a whipping boy'. Not gender-specific today. Do not use literally; it's figurative.
Example Sentences
He was made a whipping boy for the team's failure.
basic
Sometimes, the youngest sibling is treated as a whipping boy at home.
basic
She didn’t want to be a whipping boy for her boss’s mistakes.
basic
Whenever something goes wrong, Mark ends up as the whipping boy.
natural
Don’t let yourself be a whipping boy in the office—stand up for yourself.
natural
The public often looks for a whipping boy when things go bad, even if it’s not fair.
natural