fall guy

noun

Slang.

1. an easy victim.

2. a scapegoat.

fall guy

noun

1. a person who is the victim of a confidence trick

2. a scapegoat

Word History and Origins

Origin of fall guy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Idioms and Phrases

A scapegoat, one who is blamed for the actions of others. For example, He refused to be the fall guy for his colleagues . This expression uses fall in the sense of “consequences” or “blame,” which originated in prison slang. [ Slang ; early 1900s] Also see take the fall .

An easy victim, one who is readily duped. For example, His friends had marked him as the fall guy—they knew he would believe their ruse . [ Slang ; early 1900s]

Related Words

• patsy 
• scapegoat 
• whipping boy