IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchUn bouc émissaire
Meaning: A scapegoat — someone blamed for the failings of others.
Literally: An emissary goat
Example: “Le stagiaire a servi de bouc émissaire pour l'erreur de toute l'équipe.” — The intern was made the scapegoat for the whole team's mistake.
English equivalent: A whipping boy
Equivalents in other languages
English: a whipping boy
Origin: From Leviticus, where on the Day of Atonement one goat was sacrificed and a second had the people's sins confessed over it before being driven into the wilderness. The English scapegoat translates the same passage; French kept the goat as an envoy.
More French idioms
- À cheval donné on ne regarde pas les dents Do not find fault with a gift.
- Monter sur ses grands chevaux To take offense and react with indignant superiority.
- Un cheval de Troie A gift or arrangement that conceals a hostile purpose.
- C'est le chien de Jean de Nivelle Said of someone who makes himself scarce precisely when he is called.
- Les chiens ne font pas des chats Children inevitably resemble their parents.
- Les chiens aboient et la caravane passe Criticism from bystanders does not stop those who are getting on with it.
Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words
Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.
- L'esprit de l'escalier Thinking of the perfect comeback only after the moment has passed — on your way down the…
- Terroir The unique character that a place — its soil, climate and tradition — gives to a wine or…
- Râler To complain and grumble with a certain national flair — a beloved French pastime.
Keep exploring