whipping boy

whipping boy

n.

1. A scapegoat.

2. A boy formerly raised with a prince or other young nobleman and whipped for the latter's misdeeds.

---

whipping boy

n

a person of little importance who is blamed for the errors, incompetence, etc., of others, esp his superiors; scapegoat

[originally referring to a boy who was educated with a prince and who received punishment for any faults committed by the prince]

---

whipping boy - Meaning "scapegoat," the phrase derives from the boy formerly raised with a prince or other young nobleman and whipped for the latter's misdeeds.

See also related terms for prince.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

whipping boy - someone who is punished for the errors of others scapegoat victim - an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

Translations

whipping boy n (fig) → capro espiatorio