Capro espiatorio
Scapegoat
The term “capro espiatorio” is used in Italian to refer to someone who is unfairly blamed for the faults or problems of others. This expression has biblical origins, specifically from the Old Testament. During the Jewish Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), a priest would symbolically place the sins of the people onto a goat, which was then sent into the wilderness, carrying those sins away. This ritual of transferring guilt onto an innocent animal became a metaphor for someone who is made to take the blame for the wrongdoings of others, even if they are not responsible.
Esempi
- È sempre lui il capro espiatorio, anche quando non ha fatto nulla di sbagliato. – He is always the scapegoat, even when he hasn’t done anything wrong.
- Hanno trovato un capro espiatorio per la crisi aziendale, ma il vero problema è altrove. – They found a scapegoat for the company crisis, but the real problem lies elsewhere.
- Non posso continuare a essere il capro espiatorio per i tuoi errori. – I can’t keep being the scapegoat for your mistakes.