scapegoat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scapegoat" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a person or group that is unfairly blamed for problems or negative outcomes. Example: "In times of crisis, leaders often look for a scapegoat to divert attention from their own failures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the player's ostentatious manner off the pitch made him an easy scapegoat.

The Guardian - Sport

By the end of his time there, he had become the scapegoat for a team that was perceived as lazy and entitled.

The Guardian - Sport

The dressing down he got from Leanne Wood for seeking to scapegoat immigrants suffering with HIV for soaking up the NHS budget generated one of the few spontaneous rounds of applause of the night.

The Guardian - Opinion

His agent, Michael Becker, feels that Ballack has been "made the scapegoat" to deflect from the team's lack of direction and Dutt's lack of authority inside the dressing room.

The Guardian - Sport

Disabled people are seen as a good scapegoat".

The Guardian

Burnside may have been made a scapegoat, but it sparked the start of his solo PR career.

The Guardian

"Politicians scapegoat to distract attention away from the failure of their own policies, which cause widespread homelessness," he says.

The Guardian

There was a vacancy for a scapegoat, however, and after being at first included on a shortlist of Barbosa, Juvenal and Bigode – Brazil's three black players – Barbosa got the job.

The Guardian - Sport

Once the initial shock had subsided in the paddock, the search for a scapegoat embraced a range of issues with the same misinformed reasoning which frequently accompanies the death of a boxer in the ring.

The Guardian - Sport

Van Gaal has quickly got in on the act – Fellaini's shot was the final kick of the night bar the restart – and there was a delicious irony about the fact it came from a player who had been singled out as the scapegoat from the Moyes era.

The Guardian - Sport

Games are an easy scapegoat for horrific acts committed by those who happen to play them, despite the lack of evidence of any causal link.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the potentially harmful implications of using "scapegoat" to describe real people and situations, especially when discussing sensitive or controversial topics.

Common error

Avoid using "scapegoat" simply to denote someone who is responsible for something; reserve it for situations where the blame is unjustly placed or exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scapegoat" is as a noun, referring to a person or group that is unfairly blamed for the mistakes or wrongdoings of others. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it can also function as a verb, meaning to make someone a scapegoat.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "scapegoat", as analyzed by Ludwig AI, functions primarily as a noun to denote an individual or group unfairly burdened with blame. It is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, notably in news, formal communications, and scientific discourse. When using "scapegoat", emphasize the unfairness of the blame and consider alternatives like "fall guy" or "whipping boy" to nuance the meaning. Be mindful of the potential for misuse by ensuring blame is truly misplaced before applying the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall guy

This term specifically implies someone who is set up to take the blame, often to protect others.

whipping boy

This term refers to someone who is constantly criticized or punished for the faults of others.

patsy

This term suggests someone easily manipulated into taking the blame.

sacrificial lamb

Implies a person sacrificed for the benefit of others, bearing the consequences.

punching bag

A person who is constantly attacked or criticized, often unfairly.

go-to target

Someone who is regularly blamed, whether fairly or unfairly.

whipping post

Similar to "whipping boy", but emphasizes the public nature of the blame.

goat

A shortened, more informal version of "scapegoat".

easy target

Suggests that the person is blamed because they are vulnerable or undefended.

designated victim

Someone chosen to bear the burden of blame, regardless of their actual involvement.

FAQs

How can I use "scapegoat" in a sentence?

You can use "scapegoat" to describe someone who is unfairly blamed for something. For example, "The manager used the intern as a "scapegoat" for the project's failure."

What's a more formal alternative to "scapegoat"?

While "scapegoat" is widely accepted, you might consider "fall guy" or "sacrificial lamb" for a more formal tone, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "scapegoat" in all contexts?

While generally acceptable, be mindful of the connotations. It implies unfairness, so ensure your usage accurately reflects that. Avoid using it casually if the blame is genuinely deserved.

What is the origin of the term "scapegoat"?

The term originates from the biblical ritual where a goat was symbolically burdened with the sins of the people and released into the wilderness, thus acting as a "scapegoat".