sacrificial lamb

noun

Updated on: 29 Mar 2018

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

Recent Examples of sacrificial lamb from the Web

At least Nick Saban is nice enough not to run up the score on the sacrificial lambs of college football.

— joseph goodman, AL.com, "Alabama will be better without Collin Sexton," 17 Mar. 2018
So, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who figured to be the sacrificial lamb after the Ravens stumbled through that horrid first half against the Bengals, is still in place and the team reorganized the coaching staff.

— peter schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Schmuck: Ravens were never going to win all their fans back in one week," 7 Jan. 2018
Sure enough, Geillis is in there with Ian, who’s all trussed up like a sacrificial lamb.

— elizabeth angell, Town & Country, "Outlander Season 3 Finale: Claire and Jamie Head Straight for "The Eye of the Storm"," 11 Dec. 2017
But if this savior is not hired — and on the road recruiting right away — then this recruiting class will be the sacrificial lamb of the decision.

— chris bumbaca, ajc, "Mike Riley fired: Nebraska must hire coach quickly for recruiting as early signing period looms," 25 Nov. 2017
The monster on one side, the sacrificial lamb on the other.

— kenzie bryant, Vanities, "Asia Argento Escapes to Germany After Onslaught of Victim-Blaming in Her Native Italy," 20 Oct. 2017
The monster on one side, the sacrificial lamb on the other.

— kenzie bryant, vanityfair.com, "Asia Argento Escapes to Germany After Onslaught of Victim-Blaming in Her Native Italy," 20 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sacrificial lamb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.