噛かませ犬いぬ

noun

foil; sacrificial lamb; someone set up to lose

Refers to a person or entity deliberately placed in a losing position to make another look stronger or more impressive. Often used in competitive contexts like sports, business, or storytelling.

• 彼かれは新しん入にゅう社しゃ員いんを噛かませ犬いぬにして、自じ分ぶんの有ゆう能のうさをアピールした。

  He used the new employee as a foil to show off his own competence.

• あの試し合あいでは、相あい手てチームのエースがまるで噛かませ犬いぬのように扱あつかわれた。

  In that match, the opposing team's ace was treated like a sacrificial lamb.