strawman

• Nom 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.

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.

1. Cover or front personB2formal

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

   Homme de paille (sens de prête-nom)

   • 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.

   Synonymescoverdummyfigureheadfrontfront manpawnpuppetstooge

2. Weak argumentB2formal

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

   homme de paille (argument fallacieux)

   • 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.

   Synonymesdecoyset upstraw man

3. ScarecrowB1formal

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

   Épouvantail

   • 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.

   Synonymesscarecrow