whipping boy
noun /ˈwɪpɪŋ bɔɪ/
/ˈwɪpɪŋ bɔɪ/
- a person who is often blamed or punished for things other people have doneWord Originextended use of the original term (mid 17th cent.) denoting a boy educated with a young prince or other royal person and punished instead of him.