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

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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

Noun

The Baton Rouge Police Department identified the victims as 21-year-old Leah Fonte and 21-year-old Shane Hirstius, who were engaged.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has begun notifying victims impacted by a recent data breach of driver’s license and motor vehicle data, but not everyone whose information was stolen will receive an alert.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of victim

Noun

This is a unit that features two-star receivers, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, so there's no excuse for that.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
As someone who thinks NYE is a bit overrated, a wedding feels like the perfect excuse to dress up to the nines and celebrate.

— Fred Sahai, Vogue, 19 Oct. 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

Before my arrival, the Belâawane’s caravan comprised 200 goats, two dogs to help herd the goats, two chickens for eggs, and three donkeys to transport the chickens, tea kettles, jugs for water, blankets, and other food and camp supplies.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
Researchers said the presence of this amphora may mean that sailors took goats with them on their voyages, using their milk to make dairy products.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of goat

Noun

Some veterans say recruiters deceived them and Haitian authorities tortured them; their families call them scapegoats.

— Astrid Suárez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Indiana fans have become an easy scapegoat, and the reaction on Bluesky showed how little information some people needed to blame them.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026