Fall Guy: He Took the Blame for Someone Else

Every week at this time, the Voice of America tells about popular words and expressions used in the United States. Some expressions have made a jump from sports events to everyday life. One such expression is fall guy. A fall guy is the person who someone decides will be the loser or victim.

fixed. The wrestlers knew -- before the match -- which one of them would be the winner.

take the fall.  He would agreed to be the loser...the fall guy.

A fall guy takes the rap for something wrong or illegal. He accepts responsibility and punishment for what someone else did.  The fall guy may have been involved in the situation, but was not the person who should be blamed.

to take the rap first was used about one hundred years ago.

bum rap.  A person receives a bum rap if he is found guilty of a crime...but is really innocent.

Sometimes, a fall guy may not realize he is the fall guy until he is the victim of a bum rap. In that case, he may feel that he has been framed.  To frame someone is to create false evidence to make an innocent person seem guilty.

to frame someone comes from the way wood must be fitted closely around a painting or photograph to frame it. In the same way, evidence must be designed perfectly if it is to frame an innocent person to make him or her seem guilty.

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This VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES, was written by Marilyn Rice Christiano.  This is Warren Scheer.