paau3 fui1炮灰

Jyutpingpaau3 fui1

Yalepaau fūi

名詞

Definition

Cannon fodder; a scapegoat or victim who is sacrificed or forced to take the blame.

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How it's used

Originally a military term referring to soldiers sent to the front lines to be killed, it has evolved into a common metaphor for anyone sacrificed to protect someone else's interests. It is frequently used in office environments when a subordinate is forced to take the blame for a superior's mistake. The term carries a strong sense of resentment and unfairness.

Examples

ngo5我m4唔soeng2想zou6做paau3炮fui1灰bong1幫keoi5佢zap1執sau2手mei5尾。

I do not want to be the scapegoat and clean up his mess.

dim2點gaai2解ci3次ci3次jau5有wok6鑊dou1都hai6係ngo5我zou6做paau3炮fui1灰aa4呀？

Why is it that every time there is trouble, I am the one who ends up as the scapegoat?

Common phrases

zou6做paau3炮fui1灰

to act as a scapegoat

bin3變paau3炮fui1灰

to end up as a scapegoat

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 替死鬼, which specifically implies taking the punishment for a crime or a major error. While 炮灰 can also mean taking the blame, it is broader and often implies being used as a disposable tool in a larger, often political or corporate, scheme.