lightning rod

lightning rod

n.

1. A grounded metal rod placed high on a structure to prevent damage by conducting lightning to the ground.

2. One that attracts and absorbs powerful, typically negative feelings and reactions, thereby diverting interest from other issues: "[His] business dealings have become a lightning rod for criticism" (Walter Shapiro).

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lightning rod

A grounded metal rod placed high on a structure to conduct electrical current from a lightning strike directly to the ground, preventing the currents from injuring people or animals or from damaging objects. Lightning rods usually have a sharp, pointed tip, since electric lines of force are more highly concentrated around pointed objects, in this case increasing the attractiveness of the rod compared with other nearby objects. See also Saint Elmo's fire.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	lightning rod - someone who is a frequent target of negative reactions and serves to distract attention from another individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul - a human being; "there was too much for one person to do"
	2.	lightning rod - a metallic conductor that is attached to a high point and leads to the ground; protects the building from destruction by lightning lightning conductor conductor - a device designed to transmit electricity, heat, etc.