scapegoat

2 ENTRIES FOUND:

1scape·goat

noun \ˈskāp-ˌgōt\

Definition of SCAPEGOAT

1
: a goat upon whose head are symbolically placed the sins of the people after which he is sent into the wilderness in the biblical ceremony for Yom Kippur
2
a : one that bears the blame for others b : one that is the object of irrational hostility

Examples of SCAPEGOAT

  1. The CEO was made the scapegoat for the company's failures.
  2. <companies often use the economy as a scapegoat to avoid taking responsibility for dropping sales>

Origin of SCAPEGOAT

1scape; intended as translation of Hebrew ʽazāzēl (probably name of a demon), as if ʽēz 'ōzēl goat that departs—Lev 16:8(Authorized Version)
First Known Use: 1530

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