“Patsy” means a person who is easily fooled, tricked, or blamed for something, often unfairly. It can also mean someone who is used by others to take the fall or do something risky for them.
In everyday English, people use “patsy” when talking about someone who gets taken advantage of or made to look guilty. It is often used in a negative way, like when one person is being used by others or treated as the weak target in a situation.
Meaning & Usage
A patsy is usually someone who is naive, trusting, or easy to manipulate. For example, if a group lets one person get blamed for a mistake they all made, that person is the patsy.
Examples
“He was just a patsy in the whole scheme.”
“They made her the patsy so they wouldn’t get in trouble.”
Is “patsy” a rude word?
Yes, it can be rude or insulting because it suggests the person is weak, foolish, or easy to use.
Can “patsy” mean a victim?
Yes, in some cases it is close to “victim,” especially when someone is unfairly blamed or used by others.
Do people still use “patsy” today?
Yes, but it is less common in everyday speech than words like “scapegoat” or “dupe.”
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