Thesaurus results for FALL GUY

fall guy

noun

Definition of fall guy

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

Relevance

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

Noun

The hearing in Barrow County court is expected to begin with victims’ families and survivors, many of whom spoke powerfully at Colt’s sentencing.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Shanon Gray, an attorney representing the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves, disputed the significance of the evidence.

— Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of victim

Noun

Though the crime is a problem that needs to be addressed, Robinson said some of her neighbors are using it as an excuse to make racist comments.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Many companies are laying off valuable employees, often blaming AI, but experts suggest AI frequently serves as an excuse for corporate restructuring or past overhiring.

— Peter D. Banko, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of excuse

Noun

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
The middle class or big corporations don’t want to become the mayor’s whipping boy.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026

Definition of whipping boy

Noun

In California, where the size and intensity of wildfires have increased, 400 goats and 100 sheep have been deployed in Fresno to graze on yellow star thistle, a weed that can help to spread fires.

— Lea Tran, TheWeek, 29 July 2026
Additional buildings include an equipment barn, cattle and alpaca barns, a chicken coop, and another barn for goats and sheep.

— Mark David, Robb Report, 27 July 2026

Definition of goat

Noun

The article goes on to report that a large body of research and analysis confirms that AI is frequently used as a convenient public scapegoat to justify corporate restructuring, to hide overhiring from previous years, and to appease Wall Street.

— Peter D. Banko, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Beckham became a national scapegoat after that match and was vilified by the British fans and media.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026