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

The world's richest man, whose lay-offs and buy-out programs cut more than 25,000 federal employees, took offense at becoming "the whipping boy" for government cuts.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 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

So over time, the kid from St. Louis — the one who grew up dreaming of playing for the Tigers — became the whipping boy of fans pining for their program to return to prominence.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 17, 2023

The whipping boy learned to read, write, and do sums.

From "The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman