fall guy

The phrase "fall guy" refers to a person who is used as a scapegoat or someone who is blamed or punished for the failures or wrongdoing of others, often to protect those who are actually responsible. The term is commonly used in a context where someone is unfairly made to take the blame for something they did not do or had little control over. It implies being used or manipulated to divert blame or avoid consequences for someone else's actions.