козёл отпущения
Meaning: A person blamed or punished for the wrongs of others; a scapegoat.
Language: Russian
Literally: goat of dismissal
Category: Animals
Origin: A translation of the biblical scapegoat—the goat that bore the sins of the community and was sent into the wilderness.
More idioms — Animals
- Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard — It's nothing special or impressive.
- Avoir le cafard — To feel depressed or down.
- Poser un lapin — To stand someone up on a date.
- Avoir d'autres chats à fouetter — To have more important things to do.
- Da steppt der Bär — It's going to be a great party.
- Ich glaub mein Schwein pfeift — I can't believe it! That's outrageous!
More Russian idioms
- нечего греха таить — Truth be told; one might as well admit something true and damning rather than conceal it.
- хоть убей — For the life of me; under no circumstances or condition could one do something.
- хоть умри — No matter what the cost or consequence; absolutely and without exception.
- молоко на губах не обсохло — a very young or inexperienced person; someone barely past infancy.
- Не вешай лапшу на уши — Don't lie to me; stop trying to deceive me.
- Когда рак на горе свистнет — When pigs fly; never.
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