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 Wildlife Conservation Society, which would become an online whipping boy during the Flaco year, has noble origins.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2025

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

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 Washington Times • Sep. 17, 2023

Instead, Sen. Nancy Skinner had to file Senate Bill 206 five years later, outfoxing higher education leaders everywhere, not just Emmert, their whipping boy.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2022

The whipping boy learned to read, write, and do sums.

From "The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman