patsy

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.

As Warren Buffett wrote, “If you’ve been playing poker for half an hour and you still don’t know who the patsy is, you’re the patsy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Three days later, he recanted that confession and spent the rest of his life professing his innocence, claiming that he was made a patsy for the real assassin, a man he called “Raoul.”

From Slate • Dec. 1, 2025

Getting rid of Notre Dame from football schedule to play a patsy?

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2024

Again, the easiest marks are the ones who don't realize they're being set up as a patsy.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2023

Without even perfunctory regrets at the man’s passing, he accused Luthuli of being a patsy of the white man, mainly on the grounds that the chief had accepted the Nobel Peace Prize.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela