fall guy

noun

Definition of fall guynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fall guy In real life, Miller takes the ribbing well, happy to be his friend’s fall guy for the purposes of narrative structure. — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 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
  1. victim
  2. excuse
  3. whipping boy
  4. goat
  5. scapegoat
Noun
  • South African police said Monday that another body of a woman was discovered in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, bringing the total number of female victims recently found in the area to 11.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The family of one of the victims in the shooting, Tiru Chabba, is already suing OpenAI in federal court.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • There are larger forces at work, the stuff that hurts people who hurt people, and portraying that hurt (and its goal, escape) with understanding – not to say excuse-making – takes uncommon talent.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Treat it as an excuse to wear more outspoken pieces from here on out, whether this implies bright-and-striped sweaters or fuzzy, quirky boat shoes.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • Apparently, this happens all the time because Daisy is Martha’s makeup artist as well as traveling companion, sounding board, and whipping boy.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The former Maple Leaf was a whipping boy in Toronto whenever the Leafs couldn't get past the second round of the playoffs, but his first postseason in Vegas has been downright magical.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Definition of whipping boy
Noun
  • Should cabin fever somehow strike, the hotel can arrange adventures further afield, from whale-watching and boat trips along the Costa Del Sol coast to private hikes through the Andalusian mountains and even cheesemaking at a local goat farm.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • North Carolinians recently faced a scare when baby goats at a roaming petting zoo tested positive for rabies.
    — Eva Flowe October 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of goat
Noun
  • These anti-Black attitudes allow politicians to scapegoat Haitians for problems within Dominican society.
    — Kendall Medford, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In the ’90s, politicians began blaming video games like Mortal Kombat and Doom for real-world violence, and shooter games have remained a recurring scapegoat ever since.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of scapegoat

Browse Nearby Words

fall from grace
fall guy
fall guys
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fall guy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20guy. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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