patsy

IPA

Dictionary definition of patsy

A person who is easily deceived or manipulated by others, especially in the context of taking the blame for something they did not do.
"The manager used the new employee as a patsy to cover up his own mistakes."

Detailed meaning of patsy

A patsy is often used as a scapegoat or fall guy by someone else who wants to avoid responsibility or consequences for their own actions. This term can also refer to a person who is taken advantage of in a scheme or scam. The word 'patsy' often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the person is foolish or gullible, and has been made a victim of someone else's scheme or plan.

Example sentences of patsy

1. The con artist needed a patsy to take the fall for his crimes.
2. The criminal always used his brother as a patsy to avoid getting caught.
3. The politician blamed the scandal on his aide, who was nothing but a patsy.
4. The mastermind behind the heist needed a patsy to distract the police.
5. The drug dealer convinced a patsy to transport the drugs for him.
6. The CEO used the lower-level employees as patsies to take the blame for the company's losses.

History and etymology of patsy

The noun 'patsy' has a somewhat uncertain etymology, with various theories surrounding its origins. One theory suggests that it may have originated from the Italian word 'pazzo,' which means 'fool' or 'crazy.' Over time, this term may have evolved into 'patsy' in English, referring to a person easily deceived or manipulated, often used as a scapegoat to take the blame for actions they didn't commit. Another theory links 'patsy' to the Irish name 'Pádraig' (Patrick), which was used as a nickname for gullible individuals. While the exact etymology remains a bit elusive, 'patsy' has come to symbolize someone unwittingly caught up in a situation, echoing the historical evolution of language and its ability to absorb and transform words from different languages and contexts.

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Further usage examples of patsy

1. The celebrity blamed her assistant for the controversial tweet, making her the patsy.
2. The teacher unfairly labeled the student as a patsy for the class's poor grades.
3. The defendant claimed he was just a patsy for the real criminal.
4. The conman always found a patsy in the form of a wealthy tourist.
5. The scapegoat was just a patsy for the company's unethical practices.
6. He was unwittingly made the patsy in the elaborate scheme to cover up their wrongdoing.
7. The criminal used him as a patsy to divert attention from their own actions.
8. She felt like a patsy for taking responsibility and bearing the blame for the team's failure.
9. The patsy, unaware of the conspiracy, became the scapegoat in the corporate fraud case.
10. He became an unwitting patsy in the office politics game, manipulated by his colleagues.
11. The innocent bystander found himself as the patsy in the robbery, a victim of circumstance.
12. The real culprits plotted to use him as a patsy to escape detection and punishment.
13. He was set up to be the patsy in the embezzlement scandal, taking the fall for others' crimes.
14. The patsy had no inkling that he was being framed for a crime he did not commit.
15. She refused to be the patsy in their dishonest dealings, standing up for what was right.
16. The patsy's loyalty and trust were cynically exploited by the scheming group.
17. He eventually realized that he had been a patsy in the elaborate con that had ensnared him.
18. The patsy regretted shouldering the blame for the team's failure, knowing he was innocent.
19. She became the patsy in the cutthroat political power struggle, used by those with hidden agendas.
20. The patsy was manipulated into confessing to a crime he didn't commit, facing unjust consequences.
21. He felt like a patsy for believing their false promises and getting entangled in their deceit.
22. The patsy's innocence was eventually proven, but the damage had already been done.
23. She refused to be the patsy in their ongoing feud, asserting her independence and integrity.
24. The patsy uncovered the truth and exposed the real culprits behind the elaborate plot.
25. He emerged from the situation stronger, no longer a patsy, but a survivor of deception and betrayal.