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
The Jewish state, as usual, makes a handy fall guy.
—
Max Boot, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2026
At Oregon State, Blaylock served as the university’s primary point of contact for the Blueprint partnership and, ultimately, became its fall guy, resigning from his post in late October.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Dec. 2025
In San Diego, he was doomed by an ownership change, becoming a convenient fall guy for delusional former Miami Dolphins executive Mike Dee.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025
The Bellows fall guy here is Darrin’s boss, Larry Tate, who suspects something but can never prove it.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall guy
Max Boot, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2026
At Oregon State, Blaylock served as the university’s primary point of contact for the Blueprint partnership and, ultimately, became its fall guy, resigning from his post in late October.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Dec. 2025
In San Diego, he was doomed by an ownership change, becoming a convenient fall guy for delusional former Miami Dolphins executive Mike Dee.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025
The Bellows fall guy here is Darrin’s boss, Larry Tate, who suspects something but can never prove it.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall guy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall guy
Noun
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More than seven years after the abuses of Ohio State physician Richard Strauss were publicly exposed—and three years after Ohio State resolved the first round of settlements with 296 victims—a second wave of litigation is escalating with formal mediation having commenced.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
11 Dec. 2025
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Prosecutors also are seeking restitution for the victims.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
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By 1779, Washington had grown concerned that his men were finding excuses to avoid duty in order to play.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
-
Melynda assumed this was just an excuse.—
Adeline Goss,
New Yorker,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Yet Hojlund only has to look at Scott McTominay and how Conte revitalised his career in Naples after years of being a United whipping boy by some sections of the fan base.—
Emmet Gates,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Several Ramona elementary schools Transitional-Kindergarten and kindergarten students visited the farm and rotated through hands-on learning stations that included cattle, sheep and goats, swine, greenhouse activities and agricultural mechanics demonstrations.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
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Currently, there are three cattle, one dog and one goat with the parasite, per the USDA tracker, which has not yet been updated with the goat's case.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Noun
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My working theory is that the recent surge in gas prices, along with uncertainty about how AI will change the labor market have coalesced into a doom-and-gloom mood that is exacerbated by social media, always a possible scapegoat for negative vibes in today.—
Jill Schlesinger,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
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Sampson said he’s sometimes used as a scapegoat when Democratic leadership may not want to call a bill.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall guy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20guy. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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