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be a whipping boy

VERB

run the gauntlet

Synonyms

WEAK

be a target come to grips with court disaster face criticism face one's punishment go in harm's way go through fire and water march up to the cannon's mouth meet head-on take one's life in one's hands take potshots take the bull by the horns

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.

Kelley, as expected, defended police, saying that "our profession should not be a whipping boy."

From Time Magazine Archive