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.

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

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 Washington Times • Sep. 17, 2023

Instead, Sen. Nancy Skinner had to file Senate Bill 206 five years later, outfoxing higher education leaders everywhere, not just Emmert, their whipping boy.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2022

“And it’s moved from an ideological whipping boy to a set of popular benefits that the public values.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 17, 2021

He glared icily at the whipping boy who had seized his royal title.

From "The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman