whipping boy
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.
While Mr. Blanche was Republicans’ whipping boy, their real target was Mr. Trump, whose recent interventions in Republican politics have dismayed them.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
“In some ways, Yoo became the whipping boy for all the public’s anger at social and political elites,” Chun said.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2025
The Wildlife Conservation Society, which would become an online whipping boy during the Flaco year, has noble origins.
From Salon • Feb. 18, 2025
Toyota’s faith in democratizing hybrid technology turned the company, once an environmental darling, into a whipping boy as it was widely accused of foot-dragging over electric vehicles.
From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2024
Jackie was no sycophant or whipping boy, as he’s been described by other writers.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
