straw man

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

a weak, exaggerated version of an opponent's argument set up to be easily knocked down

Why this phrase?

An opponent's real argument is replaced with a flimsy dummy, like a figure made of straw, that is easier to knock down.

Example

“Arguing against the cheapest option is a straw man; nobody proposed it.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

red herring Neutral · CEFR C1

a misleading clue or distraction that draws attention away from the real issue

brain power Informal · CEFR B1

intelligence or mental ability used to think and solve problems

let the cat out of the bag Informal · CEFR B1

To reveal a secret, usually by mistake.

pull someone's leg Informal · CEFR B1

To tease or joke with someone by telling them something untrue in fun.

slippery slope Neutral · CEFR B1

a course of action that seems small or harmless but leads, step by step, to a serious or disastrous result

spill the beans Informal · CEFR B1

To reveal a secret, often accidentally.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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