sacrificial lamb
noun
: 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
John DiamondYet some women complain that they are recruited as sacrificial lambs to fill out tickets against incumbents regarded as unbeatable.—Patricia A. Avery
Patricia A. AveryExamples of sacrificial lamb in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As little more than a sacrificial lamb or a deer in headlights unable to change her fate, Gladys seemed so small in that big church.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
And right now, regardless of what Hegseth and Rubio may say, U.S. policy in Asia is the sacrificial lamb.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Given the horrible outcome, and the fact that Maeve set the whole thing in motion by offering Richie Seraphina as a sacrificial lamb, might the Harrigan matriarch have any regrets?
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 11 May 2025
The need to balance the books is strong, and reports in Italy suggest Yildiz could be the sacrificial lamb this summer, even if the club do qualify.
—Emmet Gates, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sacrificial lamb
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Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
And right now, regardless of what Hegseth and Rubio may say, U.S. policy in Asia is the sacrificial lamb.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Given the horrible outcome, and the fact that Maeve set the whole thing in motion by offering Richie Seraphina as a sacrificial lamb, might the Harrigan matriarch have any regrets?
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 11 May 2025
The need to balance the books is strong, and reports in Italy suggest Yildiz could be the sacrificial lamb this summer, even if the club do qualify.
—Emmet Gates, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sacrificial lamb
Cite this Entry
“Sacrificial lamb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacrificial%20lamb. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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