Scapegoat

1. Originally a religious term. Ancient Israelite priests would transfer the sins of the community to a goat who would then be driven into the desert to die. There were two goats used on that day; the Lord's Goat (the innocent goat) and the Scapegoat - or Azazel (who is totally guilty).

2. The term is currently used to refer to a person or group who is unjustly accused of a crime or improper behaviour. The scapegoat is either wrongly accused or bears the total guilt when others are also to blame.