as in victim
a person or thing taking the blame for others
the sandlot ball players wanted the littlest kid to be the fall guy for the broken window, figuring that he'd have the best chance of escaping punishment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fall guy
And the cameo by the real fall guy left me elated.
—
Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
National security adviser Michael Waltz emerges as a potential fall guy in the Signal group chat fallout.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars sacked Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson on Monday in the NFL’s dark annual ritual of finding fall guys after the regular season came to an end Sunday night.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Watching England as a non-white person can come with the fear that with many of the national team’s historic defeats comes a fall guy.
—Carl Anka, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for fall guy
Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
National security adviser Michael Waltz emerges as a potential fall guy in the Signal group chat fallout.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars sacked Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson on Monday in the NFL’s dark annual ritual of finding fall guys after the regular season came to an end Sunday night.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Watching England as a non-white person can come with the fear that with many of the national team’s historic defeats comes a fall guy.
—Carl Anka, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for fall guy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall guy
Noun
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Democratic members of Congress have objected to the wave of settler violence, arguing that U.S. citizens are falling victim.—
Noah Robertson The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
26 July 2025
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Kaylee was hit by unknown object and Xana ‘fought back’ Though investigators are confident a knife was used to kill all four victims, Goncalves was struck in the face by an unknown object and the extent of her struggle with Kohberger is still unknown, Gilbertson said.—
Jean Casarez,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Noun
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The Turkish leader has also used the 2016 coup attempt against him as an excuse to pull apart the rule of law and any vestiges of institutional governance in Turkey.—
Jesse Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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But that's absolutely no excuse, because intent doesn't excuse ignorance.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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On Tuesday Bayern Munich takes on Benfica and Boca Juniors faces whipping boys Auckland City.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Once more, Turkey seems to have become a whipping boy for all manner of interests, some of which have little to do with the realities of Turkey itself.—
Hugh Pope,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Oct. 2010
Noun
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During opening weekend, visitors will be able to see goats and llamas brought by breeders from around Southern California.—
Michael Slaten,
Oc Register,
18 July 2025
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Youth ages 8 to 18 are invited to take part in this workshop, which will provide tips to prepare goats for the Volusia County Fair.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 July 2025
Noun
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Without warning or consultation and using Perry as a scapegoat, Dave Navarro and the other band members took it upon themselves to abruptly cancel the remaining tour dates—violating contracts and disregarding all professional obligations.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
16 July 2025
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What if starlets like Spears were not happy collaborators in a patriarchal order but scapegoats who had been exploited for profit, pushed to the brink by an insatiable audience, and forced to bear the misogynistic projections of an entire country?—
Dayna Tortorici,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fall guy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20guy. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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