a whipping boy
Meaning: Someone who is blamed or punished for the faults of others.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The intern became the whipping boy for every mistake in the report.”
Category: Daily Life
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 idioms — Daily Life
- the life of the party — A lively, fun person who makes a gathering enjoyable.
- not a soul — Absolutely nobody.
- lose sleep over — To worry a lot about something.
- make a pass at — To make a sexual or romantic advance toward someone.
- overstep the mark — To go beyond what is acceptable.
- shoot down in flames — To reject or destroy an idea or argument completely.
More English idioms
- kick against the pricks — To resist authority or fate in a way that only hurts oneself.
- hell for leather — As fast as possible.
- buy a pig in a poke — To buy something without examining it first.
- a Trojan horse — Something that seems harmless but hides a threat inside.
- the dogs bark, but the caravan moves on — Let critics complain; one carries on regardless.
- drain the cup to the dregs — To endure a hardship or humiliation to the very end.
From our proverbs
- A penny in your pocket is a good companion. — Small, reliable resources at hand matter more than grand promises or distant wealth.
- Pepper is black, yet it hath a good smack. — Humble or unassuming appearance need not diminish value; worth transcends visual appeal.
- The topmost branch is not the safest perch. — Highest positions attract the most danger and instability, making humble placement more s…