Daily Advanced English

SCAPEGOAT /ˈskeɪpɡəʊt/ - a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.

For example: The community chose to ignore its own failings and to scapegoat her instead.

Another options for this word:

PATSY /ˈpætsi/ - (informal, especially North American English) - a weak person who is easily cheated or tricked, or who is forced to take the blame for something that somebody else has done wrong:

E.g.: I thought you respected me—now I find out that I’m just another one of your patsies.

FALL GUY (especially North American English) - a person who is blamed or punished for something wrong that another person has done:

E.g.: He realized he’d been set up as the fall guy.

SACRIFICIAL LAMB - Someone or something allowed to suffer a harmful or negative outcome so as to protect or benefit others. A reference to a person or animal killed in a ritual of religious propitiation, expiation, or worship:

E.g.: Lobbyists claim that federal regulations have made their industry a sacrificial lamb that gives politicians an easy target when asked how they are coping with the economic crisis.

Woops Sorry About That

Marvin, was in the hospital on his death bed. The family called Marvin’s Preacher to be with him in his final moments. As the Preacher stood by the bed, Marvin’s condition seemed to deteriorate, and Marvin motioned for someone to quickly pass him a pen and paper. The Preacher quickly got a pen and paper and lovingly handed it to Marvin. But before he had a chance to read the note, Marvin died. The Preacher feeling that now wasn’t the right time to read it put the note in his jacket pocket. It was at the funeral while speaking that the Preacher suddenly remembered the note. Reaching deep into his pocket the Preacher said “and you know what, I suddenly remembered that right before Marvin died he handed me a note, and knowing Marvin I’m sure it was something inspiring that we can all gain from. With that introduction the Preacher ripped out the note and opened it. The note said “HEY, YOU ARE STANDING ON MY OXYGEN TUBE!”

Source: Internet