Meaning & Definition of word "Scapegoat"

Scapegoat

/ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊt/

noun:

  • 1. A person or group that is unjustly blamed for the wrongdoings, failures, or problems of others.
    • Example: In the company’s restructuring, the manager became the scapegoat for the poor financial results.
  • 2. 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.
    • Example: 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 of scapegoat

Meaning: The person taking the heat for everyone else.

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

Meaning: Someone who is a convenient target for blame.

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