patsy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'patsy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is easily led, is gullible, or is a scapegoat for something. Example sentence: The politician used Patsy as a scapegoat for the scandal, even though it was completely out of her control.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Edward Lucas, a senior editor at the Economist who has attacked the leaker in an e-book called The Snowden Operation, told the Wall Street Journal the appearance had made him "look like a propaganda patsy of the Kremlin".

The Guardian

But the sneering at the man chosen to chair the inquiry is comprehensible only in the context of Lord Hutton's failure to deliver what Mr Blair's opponents had hoped for.Lord (Robin Butlerr, a former cabinet secretary and master of an Oxford college, may be a pillar of the establishment, but he is no New Labour patsy.

The Economist

In short, who is the patsy?To a left-wing politician, the answer is obvious: the ordinary worker.

The Economist

Some of the more cynical companies may conclude that by the time the investigations are over, Mr Levitt will be gone and a patsy will have taken his place.

The Economist

The assassination bid made him out to be a patsy, someone regarded with contempt by his Israeli counterpart.Even now, hopeless as it seems, some sort of agreement with Hamas offers the only remote prospect of a peaceful way forward.

The Economist

It is here that the most vicious and least public skirmish between banks and their regulators is taking place.In this section Home truths Sino cure Unholy mess The banks battle back Who's the patsy?

The Economist

The worry is that this view may now disqualify him, with a patsy appointed instead.

The Economist

Yet the recalcitrant countries continue to behave as if the commission is the patsy.

The Economist

There need be no patsy, because the economy is not a zero-sum game.

The Economist

Private-equity and hedge-fund managers improve economic welfare by allocating capital more efficiently.In this section Measuring the measurers Who's the patsy?

The Economist

The Spaniards meanwhile would get Banco Real in Brazil and Antonveneta in Italy, where they already have a presence.In this section Measuring the measurers Who's the patsy?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve the capitalized version "Patsy" for proper names or nicknames derived from Patricia or Patrick

Common error

Do not confuse "patsy" with "pasty". A "patsy" is a person taken advantage of, whereas "pasty" refers to a type of baked pastry or describes a pale, unhealthy complexion.

Linguistic Context

In its primary usage, "patsy" functions as a noun to identify a victim of a scheme. According to Ludwig, it typically serves as the object of a sentence (e.g., "played for a "patsy"") or a predicative nominative (e.g., "he was a "patsy"").

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

10%

General Reference

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academic

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "patsy" is a versatile noun used to describe a person who is easily cheated or unfairly blamed. Ludwig AI data shows that it is particularly prevalent in high-level journalistic writing to critique political maneuvers or financial scandals where a "fall guy" is required. Whether used as a slang term for a gullible person or as a proper name, the word carries a distinct connotation of being a victim in a larger game. When writing, ensure you distinguish it from its homonym "pasty" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall guy

specifically emphasizes being the person who takes the punishment or blame for someone else's mistake or crime

scapegoat

is a more formal alternative often used when an individual or group is blamed for the problems of others to avoid the real issue

dupe

suggests being tricked or deceived into a course of action without knowing the true intent

stooge

implies acting as a puppet or a subordinate for someone else who is the real mastermind

easy mark

specifies that the person is particularly vulnerable or simple to deceive

sucker

is more informal and focuses on the person's gullibility rather than them being blamed for something

chump

informal term for a foolish or easily deceived person

mark

often used in the context of a con or a heist to describe the intended victim of a swindle

cat's-paw

a more literary term for a person used by another as a tool to accomplish a purpose

mug

British slang for someone who is easily fooled or taken advantage of

FAQs

What does it mean to call someone a "patsy"?

Calling someone a "patsy" means they are being easily led, cheated, or made to take the blame for something they did not primarily cause. It is often synonymous with being a "fall guy".

What is the difference between a "patsy" and a "scapegoat"?

While both involve unfair blame, a "patsy" often implies the person was gullible or tricked into the situation, whereas a "scapegoat" can be someone blamed after the fact to distract from the true culprit.

Is "patsy" an informal word?

Yes, it is considered somewhat informal or colloquial. For very formal reports, you might prefer terms like "dupe" or "exploited party".

Can "patsy" be a name?

Yes, it is a common diminutive for the names Patricia or Patrick. In this context, it should always be capitalized as "Patsy".