IdiomDaily Life
English
Englisha whipping boy
Meaning: Someone who is blamed or punished for the faults of others.
Example: “The intern became the whipping boy for every mistake in the report.”
Origin: Tradition says a boy was educated alongside a young prince and beaten in his place when the prince misbehaved. Some such companions existed, but historians doubt the whipping was common practice. The figurative use is recorded from the 17th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Un bouc émissaire Literally: An emissary goat
More English idioms
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- drain the cup to the dregs To endure a hardship or humiliation to the very end.
- the icing on the cake An extra good thing added to something already good.
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