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Definition of «scapegoat»

A scapegoat is a person or group who is blamed for problems, mistakes, or wrongdoings committed by others. The term comes from the biblical story in which two goats were used in a ritual to atone for the sins of the Israelites. One goat was sacrificed as an offering, while the other goat (the scapegoat) was symbolically blamed and driven into the wilderness, taking with it the sins of the people. Today, the term is used metaphorically to describe someone who takes the blame or is unfairly punished for something they did not do.

Usage examples

  1. The management team blamed the recent drop in sales on the marketing department, making them the scapegoat for their own poor decision-making.
  2. Throughout history, different groups of people have often been made scapegoats for various societal problems. For instance, during World War II, Jewish people were wrongly blamed for Germany's economic downturn.
  3. In the business world, it is not uncommon for lower-level employees to be made scapegoats for larger issues within the company. For example, a single employee might be blamed for a security breach instead of acknowledging broader cybersecurity flaws.
  4. In school settings, students experiencing academic difficulties may become scapegoats for educators who fail to recognize and address larger systemic issues such as inadequate teaching methods or lack of resources.

Phrases with «scapegoat»

Sentences with «scapegoat»

  • Usually the people yelling they support a club but constantly bash ANYONE in the club or looking for scapegoats for everything are the ones in fact supporting the club only when they are winning. (justarsenal.com)
  • «Instead of making scapegoats of people who are simply attempting to improve the life chances of their kids, the focus should be on driving up the quality of teaching in the poorest areas of the country. (bbc.co.uk)
  • Teacher Evaluation: a way to use teachers as scapegoats for the lack of societal response to the educational needs of minority students (jonathanpelto.com)
  • (see all sentences)

See also

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