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

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.

From BBC

He was a favorite punching bag of the mainstream media, a slovenly suburban Ahab doomed to fail.

From Los Angeles Times

The house itself boasted a gym with a punching bag and a games room where he could play pool and table football.

From BBC

Now he was standing up to the bully who loves to use California, Newsom and our progressive politics as a punching bag.

From Los Angeles Times

They approach a black punching bag on weary, sometimes wobbly feet.

From Los Angeles Times