Scapegoat

/ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person or group that is unjustly blamed for the wrongdoings, failures, or problems of others.

In the company’s restructuring, the manager became the scapegoat for the poor financial results.

In a social or religious context, a goat sent into the wilderness after the Jewish chief priest had symbolically laid the sins of the people upon it, serving as a ritual of atonement.

The ancient ritual involved the scapegoat being released into the desert to carry away the sins of the community.

Etymology

The term 'scapegoat' derives from the Biblical 'Azazel', a goat sent into the wilderness during the Day of Atonement rituals in ancient Israel.

Common Phrases and Expressions

fall guy

A person assigned to take the blame.

whipping boy

A person who is punished for the errors of others.

Related Words

blame

Assign responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing.

culprit

A person responsible for a crime or fault.

Slang Meanings

The person taking the heat for everyone else.

When the project failed, John became the scapegoat for the whole team's mistakes.

Someone who is a convenient target for blame.

As usual, he was the scapegoat when things went wrong in the office.