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noun Uncommon

scapegoat

SKAYP-goht
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Scapegoat (noun) means a person blamed for a problem or failure that was not really their fault, often to protect others. Example: “The junior analyst became the scapegoat when the deal fell through.”

noun
1
A person blamed for a problem or failure that was not really their fault, often to protect others.
"The junior analyst became the scapegoat when the deal fell through."
"They needed a scapegoat, so they fired the newest employee."
verb
1
To unfairly blame someone for a failure.
"Management scapegoated the intern instead of admitting their own mistake."

How to use scapegoat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who takes the blame so everyone else is off the hook — whether or not it's fair.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "escape goat," a common mishearing of the original phrase.

Common pairings
make someone a scapegoat scapegoat for the crisis
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Word forms

Plural
scapegoats
Third person singular
scapegoats
Past tense
scapegoated
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The junior analyst became the _____ when the deal fell through.

Etymology

Coined by the 16th-century Bible translator William Tyndale from "scape" (escape) + "goat," describing an ancient ritual in which a goat symbolically carried away a community's sins into the wilderness.

· First attested 1500

Class of 1500 scapegoat joined the language around 1500.
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Synonyms

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sacrificial lamb escapegoat fall guy folk devil goat patsy Joe Soap whipping boy

Related words

goat Patricia sucker Patsy dupe gull stooge goad

Rhymes for scapegoat

oat boat coat goat moat float bloat gloat groat throat afloat tugboat
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Frequently asked questions

What does “scapegoat” mean?
The word “scapegoat” means a person blamed for a problem or failure that was not really their fault, often to protect others. In plain terms, someone who takes the blame so everyone else is off the hook — whether or not it's fair.
How do you pronounce “scapegoat”?
“Scapegoat” is pronounced SKAYP-goht (/ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “scapegoat” in a sentence?
Here is “scapegoat” used in a sentence: “The junior analyst became the scapegoat when the deal fell through.”
What is another word for “scapegoat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scapegoat” include sacrificial lamb, escapegoat, fall guy, folk devil, goat and patsy.
What part of speech is “scapegoat”?
Depending on how it is used, “scapegoat” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “scapegoat” come from?
The word “scapegoat” dates back to around 1500. Coined by the 16th-century Bible translator William Tyndale from "scape" (escape) + "goat," describing an ancient ritual in which a goat symbolically carried away a community's sins into the wilderness.
Is “scapegoat” a common word?
“Scapegoat” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “scapegoat” have?
“Scapegoat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person blamed for a problem or failure that was not really their fault, often to protect others.

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