World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionariesbouc émissaire
Pronunciation / Transliteration: bouk e-me-ser
"Il a servi de bouc émissaire pour toute l'équipe."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
1 sense- 1
A person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.
"The manager looked for a scapegoat to take the blame for the failed project."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the mistranslation of the Hebrew word 'azazel' in the biblical book of Leviticus by William Tyndale in 1530. It originally referred to a goat upon whose head the sins of the people were symbolically placed, after which it was sent away into the wilderness. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from a literal animal ritual to any person who is unfairly blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or troubles of others.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Scapegoat"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Scapegoat" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
bouc émissaire
Transliteration: bouk e-me-ser
"Il a servi de bouc émissaire pour toute l'équipe."
Sündenbock
Transliteration: zynd-en-bok
"Die Medien brauchten einen Sündenbock für das Desaster."
capro espiatorio
Transliteration: ka-pro e-spja-to-rio
"Hanno cercato un capro espiatorio per coprire i loro errori."
chivo expiatorio
Transliteration: chi-vo eks-pja-to-rio
"Siempre buscan un chivo expiatorio cuando las cosas van mal."
bode expiatório
Transliteration: bo-de eks-pja-to-rio
"Ele foi transformado em bode expiatório pela diretoria."
बलि का बकरा
Transliteration: bali ka bakra
"गलती किसी और की थी, लेकिन उसे बलि का बकरा बना दिया गया।"
替罪羊
Transliteration: tì zuì yáng
"他不愿意成为这次事件的替罪羊。"
희생양
Transliteration: hui-saeng-yang
"무고한 사람이 정치적 스캔들의 희생양이 되었다."
身代わり
Transliteration: migawari
"彼は不祥事の身代わりにされた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all French termsTo question someone thoroughly about a completed mission, project, or undertaking.
A document or electronic record issued by a carrier or shipping company confirming that goods have been received and dispatched for transport to a specified destination.
Apt to shoot without sufficient provocation or before fully assessing a situation.
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