スケープゴート
Meanings
1
A person or group blamed for the mistakes or problems of others, often to deflect responsibility.
He was made the scapegoat for the project's failure.
The management seems to be looking for a scapegoat.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉をスケープゴートにするto make someone a scapegoat
The company escaped responsibility for the failure by making a young employee the scapegoat.
- 〈人〉がスケープゴートにされるto be made into a scapegoat
He had nothing to do with the incident, but he was made a scapegoat.
- スケープゴートを探すto look for someone to blame
There are people who immediately look for a scapegoat whenever a problem arises.