# scapegoat

/ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊt/ (US) · /skˈeɪpɡəʊt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scapegoat
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a person or group that people blame for something bad, even if it is not their fault. You use this when someone else is punished to make a problem go away.

For teachers: a person or group made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place. Often used in political or corporate contexts to describe the redirection of public or internal frustration toward a convenient target.

## Examples

- The manager became a scapegoat for the company's poor sales.
- In times of economic crisis, minority groups are often used as a scapegoat by politicians looking to deflect criticism.
- The junior analyst was cast as the primary scapegoat for the systemic failure of the risk management department, despite having raised concerns months prior to the collapse.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with the verbs 'find', 'seek', or 'make' and often followed by the preposition 'for'.

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