punching bag

noun

1. an inflated or stuffed bag, usually suspended, punched with the fists as an exercise.

2. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of punching bag¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

A punching bag painted by Basquiat features his signature crown motif atop the words “Mary Boone™.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It would be much better than just being life’s punching bag.

Read more on Literature

Because horror is a genre built on excess, it’s also an easy punching bag.

Read more on Salon

Whatever maternal feelings she has for her other children are missing when it comes to Gish, who becomes her mother’s scapegoat and punching bag.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hatton's parents made a small gym in the basement of their pub when he was 12, and it was there that he honed his skills on a punching bag.

Read more on BBC