strawman

A noun with multiple meanings: a person used as a cover for questionable activity; a weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted; or an effigy in the shape of a man used to frighten birds away from seeds.

ruСуществительное с несколькими значениями: человек, используемый как прикрытие для сомнительной деятельности; слабый или ложный аргумент, выдвигаемый для лёгкого опровержения; или чучело в форме человека, используемое для отпугивания птиц от семян.esSustantivo con varios significados: una persona utilizada como tapadera para actividades dudosas; un argumento débil o falso presentado para ser refutado fácilmente; o una figura con forma humana usada para ahuyentar aves de los cultivos.frNom avec plusieurs sens : une personne utilisée comme couverture pour une activité douteuse ; un argument faible ou fallacieux avancé pour être facilement réfuté ; ou un mannequin en forme d'humain utilisé pour effrayer les oiseaux loin des semences.deSubstantiv mit mehreren Bedeutungen: eine Person, die als Strohmann für zweifelhafte Aktivitäten vorgeschoben wird; ein schwaches oder falsches Argument, das aufgestellt wird, um leicht widerlegt zu werden; oder eine menschenähnliche Vogelscheuche, die Vögel von Saatgut fernhalten soll.ptSubstantivo com vários sentidos: pessoa usada como fachada para atividades duvidosas; argumento fraco ou falso apresentado para ser facilmente refutado (falácia do espantalho); ou boneco em forma humana usado para espantar pássaros de plantações.zh多义词：被用作幌子来掩护可疑活动的人；为容易被驳倒而提出的薄弱或虚假的论点（稻草人谬误）；或用来吓走鸟、保护种子的假人。arاسم له عدة معانٍ: شخص يُتخذ غطاءً لنشاط مشبوه؛ أو حجة ضعيفة أو زائفة تُطرح ليُسهل دحضها؛ أو تمثال على هيئة إنسان يُوضع لطرد الطيور عن الزرع.

1. Cover or front person B2 formal

   A person used as a front or a cover to hide the true nature of a questionable or illegal activity.

   • The company used a strawman to hide their real ownership.
   • He was just a strawman for the corrupt officials behind the scheme.
   • The investigation revealed that the nominee was a strawman for the real investors.

   ruПодставное лицоesTestaferrofrHomme de paille (sens de prête-nom)deStrohmannptLaranjazh傀儡arواجهة

   Synonyms: coverdummyfigureheadfrontfront manpawnpuppetstooge

2. Weak argument B2 formal

   A deliberately weak or false argument that is set up to be easily defeated or refuted, often used in debates.

   • The politician used a strawman argument to distract from the real issue.
   • Attacking a strawman version of your opponent's position is a common fallacy.
   • His entire speech was built on a strawman that no one actually believed.

   ruСоломенное чучелоesHombre de pajafrhomme de paille (argument fallacieux)deStrohmann-ArgumentptEspantalhozh稻草人谬误arرجل من قش

   Synonyms: decoyset upstraw man

3. Scarecrow B1 formal

   An effigy made to resemble a human figure, traditionally used in fields to scare birds away from crops.

   • The farmer placed a strawman in the middle of the cornfield.
   • Children helped build a strawman for the harvest festival.
   • The old strawman was tattered and worn from years of rain and wind.

   ruПугалоesEspantapájarosfrÉpouvantaildeVogelscheucheptEspantalhozh稻草人arفزّاعة

   Synonyms: scarecrow

• strawmen plural form
• strawmen's possessive plural form
• strawman's possessive singular form