sacrificial lamb
noun
Definition of sacrificial lamb
: someone or something that is deliberately sacrificed to promote a cause or for the benefit of others … has become the sacrificial lamb to deflect criticism about exaggerated charges used to make the case for war on Iraq. — John Diamond Yet some women complain that they are recruited as sacrificial lambs to fill out tickets against incumbents regarded as unbeatable. — Patricia A. Avery
From the M-W Editors
First Known Use of sacrificial lamb
1834
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