Scapegoat: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is often used when someone is unfairly blamed for problems or failures, especially in a political or organizational context.

• The team needed a scapegoat for their poor performance and chose the new manager.
• She became the scapegoat for the company's financial woes.

This phrase is used when someone is made to take the blame for something, particularly in situations involving crime or deceit. It suggests that the person is set up to fail.

• He was made the fall guy for the robbery even though he had nothing to do with it.
• When the scam was uncovered, they needed a fall guy to take the heat.

Historically, this term referred to a boy educated alongside a prince who would be punished when the prince misbehaved. Nowadays, it is used metaphorically for someone who is regularly blamed or punished for the faults of others.

• In the office, he became the whipping boy for every mistake the team made.
• She always ended up as the whipping boy whenever anything went wrong at home.

This word is used in informal situations and describes someone who is easily fooled or tricked into taking the blame or doing something they didn't want to do. It has a somewhat negative connotation.

• He realized he was the patsy in their scheme when he was left to explain the failed project.
• They needed a patsy to sign the documents without questioning them.

Used when someone is unfairly blamed for something others have done. Usually implies that this person is innocent and the real culprits are not being held accountable. This term often has a negative connotation.

• They needed a scapegoat for the project’s failure, so they blamed John.
• She was made the scapegoat for the crime, even though she had nothing to do with it.

Used when someone holds another responsible for a fault or wrong. It is less formal than 'accuse' and can be used in everyday situations.

• Don't blame me for your mistakes.
• He blamed the weather for his bad mood.

Used when someone explicitly states that another person is responsible for something, especially a wrongdoing or a crime. Often implies a formal or serious statement.

• The police accused him of robbery.
• She accused her colleague of stealing her ideas.

Used to describe an attempt to assign responsibility or guilt to someone, often unfairly. This phrase implies a sense of trickery or deceit.

• They tried to pin the missing documents on Jane.
• It’s unfair to pin the whole issue on him.