punching bag
Americannoun
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an inflated or stuffed bag, usually suspended, punched with the fists as an exercise.
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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.
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.
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
“The attack is a reminder that Powell will remain a punching bag for the president as long as he is on the Fed board,” said Ethan Harris, a former top economist at Bank of America.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 16, 2026
Since merging his cable programming behemoth Discovery with storied entertainment company Warner Bros. in 2022, Zaslav has often been a punching bag for Hollywood.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025
It was part encyclopedia, part personal assistant, and part digital punching bag.
From Slate • Aug. 12, 2025
We boasted a single punching bag and a few pairs of boxing gloves.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
