Macmillan Dictionary

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People and things that are treated badly

victim

noun

someone who has suffered as a result of the actions or negative attitudes of someone else or of people in general

target

noun

a person, building, or area that someone intends to attack

pawn

noun

a person who is being used by someone who is more powerful to help them achieve an aim

plaything

noun

someone or something that you are only interested in when you want pleasure or entertainment and do not care about the rest of the time

stooge

noun

someone who is used by someone else to do a difficult or unpleasant job

dogsbody

noun

someone who is forced to do all the jobs that no one else wants to do

sacrificial lamb

noun

someone or something that suffers so that someone or something more important can succeed

whipping boy

noun

someone who is punished for someone else’s mistake or crime, usually because they have less power than that person

toy

noun

a person that someone treats badly and uses as a means of pleasure or fun

Cinderella

noun

someone or something that has good qualities but is treated badly or ignored

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

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neutron

the part of the nucleus of an atom that has no electrical charge

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

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