patsy

As Warren Buffett wrote, “If you’ve been playing poker for half an hour and you still don’t know who the patsy is, you’re the patsy.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026

Granted, this first game was against the tanking Jazz, the same franchise that played patsy to Bryant’s 60 points nine years ago.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2025

That’s the one in which Arthur’s trusted patsy, Patsy, slaps coconut halves together so the deluded king can pretend he has a horse.

From New York Times ● Nov. 16, 2023

Again, the easiest marks are the ones who don't realize they're being set up as a patsy.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2023

You couldn't trust a patsy like that, especially in the marketplace, so, armed with a thick stack of coupons, our father did all the shopping himself.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

USC beats four early-season patsies to boost their stats and gain a No. 12 ranking, all the while their defense stinks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

As Rhodes found out, however, it's not so easy to pawn your misdeeds off on patsies.

From Salon ● Dec. 12, 2022

At times, the prosecution team has suggested that reporters can be patsies in that strategy.

From Washington Post ● May 21, 2022

England entertain Ireland in round four before heading for Paris on the final weekend, possibly as the patsies for a crowd expecting the first Grand Slam since 2010.

From BBC ● Feb. 26, 2022

"But that assumption—a whole continent of patsies —simply didn't make sense."

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann