A fall guy is a person who is used as a scapegoat; someone who ends up taking the blame (or being held responsible) for the actions of another person or group. Someone placed in the position of fall guy is often referred to as someone who is "taking the fall." In the film industry, a fall guy is a form of stock character.
Famous quotes containing the words fall and/or guy:
“Whether I flie with angels, fall with dust,
Thy hands made both, and I am there:
Thy power and love, my love and trust
Make one place ev’rywhere.”
—George Herbert (1593–1633)
“Maggio: Just hate to see a good guy get it in the gut.
Corporal Buckley: You’d better get used to it, kid. You’ll probably see a lot of it before you die.”
—Daniel Taradash (b. 1913)