doormat

[dawr-mat, dohr-]

noun

1. a mat, usually placed before a door or other entrance, for people arriving to wipe their shoes on before entering.

2. a person who is the habitual object of abuse or humiliation by another.

doormat

/ ˈdɔːˌmæt /

noun

1. a mat, placed at the entrance to a building, for wiping dirt from shoes

2. informal,  a person who offers little resistance to ill-treatment by others

Word History and Origins

Origin of doormat¹

First recorded in 1655–65; door + mat ¹

Example Sentences

"We're now braced for the autumn rush, when people start getting their energy bills on the doormat. This is by far the busiest period."

From BBC

They learned to expect a knock at the door, a small plate of jelly left on the doormat.

From Salon

There are doormats that aren’t as walked over as our prostrated governor.

From Los Angeles Times

One-way respect makes you a doormat, and unless Newsom calls out his guests with more force, he risks being the punchline instead of the provocateur.

From Los Angeles Times

Cybersecurity experts have likened the idea of creating a backdoor to someone leaving their house keys under their doormat - essentially creating a vulnerability which anyone, including bad actors, can exploit.

From BBC

Related Words

• groupie 
• lackey