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.