scapegoat

Someone who is unfairly blamed or punished for a problem caused by other people.

• They needed a scapegoat for the mistake.
• The manager used me as a scapegoat.
• Why should the youngest worker become everyone's scapegoat?

How to use it: scapegoat for something (They made her a scapegoat for the company's losses.); make a scapegoat of someone (The manager made a scapegoat of the newest employee.)

Similar words: fall guy, whipping boy

Common phrases: make someone a scapegoat, scapegoat for something, use a scapegoat, find a scapegoat

A goat sent into the wilderness in an ancient Jewish ceremony, believed to carry away the people's sins.

• The priest sent the scapegoat into the wilderness.
• The scapegoat symbolically carried away the people's sins.
• One goat was sacrificed, while the scapegoat was released alive.

Common phrases: ritual scapegoat, release the scapegoat, send the scapegoat

To unfairly blame or punish someone for a problem they did not cause.

• Don't scapegoat the new worker.
• The leaders scapegoated others for their own mistakes.
• Minority groups are often scapegoated during an economic crisis.

How to use it: scapegoat someone for something (They scapegoated the assistant for the failed project.)

Similar words: blame unfairly, make a scapegoat of

Common phrases: scapegoat someone, scapegoat someone for something