whipping boy

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.

The world's richest man, whose lay-offs and buy-out programs cut more than 25,000 federal employees, took offense at becoming "the whipping boy" for government cuts.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2025

“In some ways, Yoo became the whipping boy for all the public’s anger at social and political elites,” Chun said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2025

Toyota’s faith in democratizing hybrid technology turned the company, once an environmental darling, into a whipping boy as it was widely accused of foot-dragging over electric vehicles.

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2024

So over time, the kid from St. Louis — the one who grew up dreaming of playing for the Tigers — became the whipping boy of fans pining for their program to return to prominence.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 17, 2023

"You don't need my whipping boy to get into the castle. There's a better way."

From "The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman