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Showing results for fall guy. Search instead for falllaub.
Definitions

fall guy

NOUN
easy victim
Synonyms
STRONGEST
patsy scapegoat whipping boy
WEAK
boob can-carrier chopping block chump dupe easy mark easy touch fool goat lamb to the slaughter mark pigeon prize sap sacrifice sap schlemiel schmuck sitting duck soft touch stooge sucker trusting soul victim

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In Japan, the BOJ is the government’s fall guy.

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

Carl’s duplicitous behavior, meanwhile, leads Roy to think his brother is planning to make him the fall guy for their mutual misdeeds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

And then, the entire edifice crumbled as Baltimore became the focus and fall guy for one of the more infamous investigations of scientific misconduct in the last half of the 20th century.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

But he claimed he had been made "the fall guy" for a wider crisis engulfing the CBI and that his reputation had been "totally destroyed".

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2024

I said they’re looking for a fall guy and you’re nominated.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik