straw man

noun

1. a mass of straw formed to resemble a man, as for a doll or scarecrow.
2. a person whose importance or function is only nominal, as to cover another's activities; front.
3. a fabricated or conveniently weak or innocuous person, object, matter, etc., used as a seeming adversary or argument:

   The issue she railed about was no more than a straw man.

straw man

noun

1. a figure of a man made from straw
2. another term for man of straw

straw man

1. A made-up version of an opponent's argument that can easily be defeated. To accuse people of attacking a straw man is to suggest that they are avoiding worthier opponents and more valid criticisms of their own position: “His speech had emotional appeal, but it wasn't really convincing because he attacked a straw man rather than addressing the real issues.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of straw man¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

Critics tend to rely on straw man arguments claiming Jeter wasn't the very best.

From The Daily Beast

The problem is that the media apologists are battling a straw man.

From The Daily Beast

But Scarborough said that it was a "straw man's argument" to pretend that all Republicans want European-style austerity.

From The Daily Beast

Instead of paying the minor fine and moving on (that would be accepting the straw man,) they battle it out in court.

From The Daily Beast

And all you have to do to collect is file the right paperwork—and in the meantime, refuse to acknowledge the straw man.

From The Daily Beast

This brutal form is quite beneath the dignity of a wholesome straw man.

From Project Gutenberg

And what good is the straw man to you, or to himself, when the ditch keeps you from going any further?

From Project Gutenberg

We may have been fooled, and we may be chasing a straw man in a paper boat right at this minute, sir.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes a stuffed recamúchi (cacomistle, bassariscus) is used either in the place of a straw-man or in addition to it.

From Project Gutenberg

That would be putting up a straw man and knocking him down, which is profitless and unconvincing.

From Project Gutenberg