punching bag
Americannoun
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an inflated or stuffed bag, usually suspended, punched with the fists as an exercise.
-
Informal. a person serving as an object of abuse; scapegoat.
I told him that I wasn't going to be a punching bag for anyone.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of punching bag
First recorded in 1895–1900
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A slow start to these playoffs and last year’s postseason struggles made Reaves an online punching bag for fan frustrations.
From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026
It felt as if a boxer had used my bladder as a punching bag.
From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026
Behind him, some of the young athletes faced each other in the ring surrounded by cheering gymmates, while others trained on a punching bag.
From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026
A punching bag painted by Basquiat features his signature crown motif atop the words “Mary Boone™.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
I needed to remind myself that the mortal world was still out there, away from all the monsters using me as their personal punching bag.
From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
