lightning rod
noun/ˈlaɪtnɪŋ rɒd/
/ˈlaɪtnɪŋ rɑːd/
(especially North American English) (British English usually lightning conductor)
- a long straight piece of metal or wire leading from the highest part of a building to the ground, put there to prevent lightning damaging the building
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- a person or thing that attracts criticism, especially if the criticism is then not directed at somebody/something else
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lightning rod