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Definition of whipping boy noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

whipping boy

noun
 
/ˈwɪpɪŋ bɔɪ/
 
/ˈwɪpɪŋ bɔɪ/
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  1. a person who is often blamed or punished for things other people have done
    Word 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.
See whipping boy in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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