as in victim
a person or thing taking the blame for others
the sandlot ball players wanted the littlest kid to be the fall guy for the broken window, figuring that he'd have the best chance of escaping punishment
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Recent Examples of fall guy
In The Fall Guy, Ryan Gosling plays Colt Seavers, the titular fall guy, which is an industry term for stunt man.
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Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2024
The irony was that Mayorkas, who had witnessed the surge in unaccompanied minors in 2014, as Deputy Secretary, was perhaps the least convenient fall guy.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024
This loss’s fall guy was defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who called an all-out blitz just before halftime as Kirk Cousins responded with a 60-yard touchdown pass for a 16-7 lead.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024
Not officially, maybe, but canned for using players on the roster given him — by Preller, who can play many roles except fall guy.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for fall guy 
Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2024
The irony was that Mayorkas, who had witnessed the surge in unaccompanied minors in 2014, as Deputy Secretary, was perhaps the least convenient fall guy.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024
This loss’s fall guy was defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who called an all-out blitz just before halftime as Kirk Cousins responded with a 60-yard touchdown pass for a 16-7 lead.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024
Not officially, maybe, but canned for using players on the roster given him — by Preller, who can play many roles except fall guy.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for fall guy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall guy
Noun
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The move drew immediate condemnation from the abuse victims and their attorneys, whose lawsuits were effectively paused while a bankruptcy judge reviewed the church’s finances and assets.Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
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When asked if the injuries appeared to have come from the victim’s own hunting party or another hunter, Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting responded that more information would be released after the weekend.Matt Henson, Twin Cities, 9 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Even if a more irritable side of her personality has emerged, there’s no excuse for cruelty.R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
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In social situations, redirect the conversation to some other topic (or come up with a polite excuse to exit).Angela Haupt, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Once more, Turkey seems to have become a whipping boy for all manner of interests, some of which have little to do with the realities of Turkey itself.Hugh Pope, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2010
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The Republicans and their puppet master, Donald Trump, are ginning up the machine against immigration and making Mayorkas their whipping boy for chaos at the border.New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2024
Noun
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Begin the day with a stroll on the animal farm filled with exotic goats, cows, chickens, ducks, and pigs, then enjoy a meal at the Pony Bar Restaurant and Bar just steps away.Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2024
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Between the lines: Officials said the case was detected in an operation that has a mix of poultry, swine and other livestock, such as sheep and goats.Tina Reed, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The statement is cleverly worded such that the government agencies could be the scapegoat for any delays.Richard Bishop, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
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The truth — which someone should be loudly asserting this election — is that the immigrants are a scapegoat.Alex Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near fall guy
Cite this Entry
“Fall guy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20guy. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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