patsy

¹

[ pat-see ]

noun

Slang.

plural patsies.

1. a person who is easily swindled, deceived, coerced, persuaded, etc.; sucker.
2. a person upon whom the blame for something falls; scapegoat; fall guy.
3. a person who is the object of a joke, ridicule, or the like.

Patsy

²

[ pat-see ]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Patrick.
2. a female given name, form of Patricia.

patsy

/ ˈpætsɪ /

noun

1. a person who is easily cheated, victimized, etc
2. a scapegoat

Word History and Origins

Origin of patsy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of patsy¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

And I don’t see the party as playing the patsy, either.

From Los Angeles Times

Granted, this first game was against the tanking Jazz, the same franchise that played patsy to Bryant’s 60 points nine years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

I think someone whispered in Trump’s ear that Putin thinks he’s a patsy, that Putin’s grand expectation is that Trump will cave to whatever he wants without protest because they’re bro-ligarchs-in-arms, or something like that.

From Salon

Some are wallowing in theories that Mangione is a patsy, or that the shooting is a psyop.

From Salon

Getting rid of Notre Dame from football schedule to play a patsy?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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• sitting duck