fall guy

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.

In Japan, the BOJ is the government’s fall guy.

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

Carl’s duplicitous behavior, meanwhile, leads Roy to think his brother is planning to make him the fall guy for their mutual misdeeds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

But he claimed he had been made "the fall guy" for a wider crisis engulfing the CBI and that his reputation had been "totally destroyed".

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2024

Mr. Ray had been sentenced to prison without a trial, but later recanted, saying that he was the fall guy for an expansive conspiracy linking the F.B.I., the mafia and the U.S. military.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2024

I said they’re looking for a fall guy and you’re nominated.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik