make a scapegoat

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a scapegoat" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to assigning blame to someone for problems or failures. Example: "The manager decided to make a scapegoat of the intern for the project's failure." Alternative expressions include "pin the blame" and "shift the blame."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But that is no reason to make a scapegoat of tiny Ireland.

The Economist

If Isaac Redman can provide Pittsburgh with a credible running game, the Steelers will have no need to make a scapegoat of their defense.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Lamy cautioned that with slower growth came the risk that politicians would seek to make a scapegoat of trade, causing damage to the global economy.

The New York Times

A prime ministerial adviser said the government is doing "the best we can" and rejected accusations it is trying to make a scapegoat out of Gurielidze.

The Guardian

The Uighurs' resentments also have the scope to inflame Muslim sentiment not just in China (which has more Muslims than Saudi Arabia) but throughout the Islamic world.The rioters were obviously not terrorists, so China has tried to make a scapegoat out of Ms Kadeer this time.

The Economist

The story is told in the last version of "The Steel", a poem Murray revised in light of his discovery of the whole story; though the class animus is still strong:    "Perhaps we were wrong    to make a scapegoat out of you;    perhaps there was no stain    of class in your decision,    no view that two framed degrees    outweighed a dairy.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Jha, says that Coal India is being made a scapegoat.

The Economist

I was made a scapegoat for a catalogue of errors.

The Guardian

If I stay, I will be made a scapegoat.

The Guardian

But he had been made a scapegoat, he added.

The Guardian

But he can't be made a scapegoat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the passive voice 'to be made a scapegoat' when the focus is on the person suffering the unfair blame rather than the person doing the blaming.

Common error

While a scapegoat is someone blamed for the mistakes of others, a sacrificial lamb is someone or something that is sacrificed for a 'greater' cause or to appease someone. A scapegoat implies unfair accusation, whereas a sacrificial lamb implies a tragic but necessary loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a scapegoat" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It typically follows the pattern [Subject] + [Verb] + [Object (the person blamed)] + [Prepositional Phrase (of/out of)] or [Subject] + [Verb] + [Scapegoat] + [of/out of] + [Noun]. Ludwig data shows it is frequently used in the passive voice, e.g., 'to be made a scapegoat'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academic

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a scapegoat" is a powerful linguistic tool used to describe the act of unfairly assigning blame to a single entity for a collective failure. According to Ludwig AI and the provided examples, it is a staple of investigative journalism and political commentary. Whether used as "make a scapegoat of someone" or in the passive "was made a scapegoat", it carries a strong connotation of injustice and systemic deflection. Its high frequency in top-tier publications like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its utility in professional and analytical writing. When using this phrase, remember that it implies the person being blamed is being used as a shield for others' errors, making it more specific and descriptive than simply saying someone is 'blamed'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pin the blame

Focuses more on the act of attaching responsibility to someone else.

lay the blame at the door of

A more formal prepositional phrase indicating who is responsible.

shift the blame

Emphasizes the movement of responsibility away from oneself.

make a fall guy

Used more frequently in crime or informal contexts to denote someone taking the hit.

point the finger

A more idiomatic and visual way to describe accusation.

pass the buck

Focuses on the refusal to accept responsibility rather than the person receiving it.

victimize

Broader term that includes unfair treatment beyond just blaming.

target

Describes the selection of a person for criticism without necessarily implying they are the sole blamer.

frame

Usually implies a deliberate setup involving false evidence.

stigmatize

Focuses on the social disgrace associated with being blamed.

FAQs

How to use "make a scapegoat" in a sentence?

You can use it when a person is blamed for something they didn't solely cause, for example: "The CEO tried to "make a scapegoat of" the junior developer after the security breach."

What is the difference between "make a scapegoat" and "blame"?

While to "blame" simply means to hold someone responsible, to "make a scapegoat" implies that the blame is unfair and usually intended to protect others who are also at fault.

Is it "make a scapegoat of" or "make a scapegoat out of"?

Both are correct. Using 'of' is slightly more formal and common in British English, while "make a scapegoat out of" is frequently used in American English and informal contexts.

What can I say instead of "make a scapegoat"?

Depending on the tone, you could use "pin the blame on", "victimize" or "find a fall guy".