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
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 perfect fall guy Hayes’ lawsuit paints a damning picture of how UBS allegedly planned his downfall.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 7 Nov. 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
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 perfect fall guy Hayes’ lawsuit paints a damning picture of how UBS allegedly planned his downfall.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 7 Nov. 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
-
Newsom’s office said Thursday that the state is providing assistance to victims, family members and witnesses of the mosque shooting.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
The bodies of two people were found earlier this week, before crews recovered the remains of another six victims on Thursday, May 28, Longview fire chief Brad Hannig said in a press conference later that day.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Round it out with a stylish Béis belt bag to keep airport essentials close at hand, leaving you no excuse to hold up security, knowing the coveted carry is just under $30.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
As a bonus, these projects can all be completed outdoors, giving you an excuse to get outside and enjoy the nice spring weather.—
Angie Hicks,
Boston Herald,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
There will always be whipping boys at the World Cup, a team who arrive underprepared or in chaos of some description.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Officials in late May identified a goat infected with the flesh-eating infection, which is spread via screwworm flies.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Firefighters rescued a young goat who became entangled in a steel frame in Thompson on Sunday night.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Beyond becoming the office scapegoat, AI employees were actually counterproductive in many companies’ mission to increase AI adoption in the workplace.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
-
Companies overhired, investors want lower expenses, and executives now have a convenient scapegoat for job cuts.—
Brandon Kochkodin,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall guy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20guy. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
