Scapegoated

To be made a scapegoat means to be unfairly blamed or punished for the mistakes or wrongdoings of others, especially to divert attention from the actual culprits or to alleviate feelings of guilt within a group. It often involves taking on the responsibility for a problem or failure that is not entirely or even primarily one's own, frequently serving to preserve the reputation or power of those truly at fault. The scapegoating can manifest in various ways, from public shaming to job loss, and often leaves the individual feeling isolated and unjustly treated.

Scapegoated meaning with examples

• The marketing team was scapegoated for the product's failure, even though the design flaws were the primary cause. Their hard work and creative marketing strategy failed to compensate for the underlying product imperfections, making them the easy targets for blame.
• After the company's financial losses, the CFO was scapegoated to appease angry shareholders. His firing diverted attention from the CEO's poor strategic decisions and the board's lack of oversight, protecting their positions at the expense of the CFO's career.
• In the aftermath of the scandal, the junior employee was scapegoated and fired, taking the fall for actions initiated by the senior executives. This act of sacrifice quickly allowed the higher powers to resume their work, while still remaining in good graces with the community.
• During the political crisis, the minority group was scapegoated and blamed for the economic downturn, ignoring the complex factors at play. This served to manipulate public opinion and distract from the government's own mismanagement and policies that contributed to the crisis.
• Despite all the overwhelming evidence that the issue was because of the production department, the overworked and understaffed customer service representatives were scapegoated for the delayed deliveries. They were left powerless to handle the consequences of decisions beyond their control.