Scapegoat, which is one who is blamed for another’s misdeeds, is the correct word, though escape goat is actually closer to the original meaning of the phrase.
It has roots in an ancient Jewish custom that allows one of two sacrificial goats to go free, taking the sins of the people with it. This goat was the escaped goat, which was later shortened to scapegoat.
- Making Jim the scapegoat for the team’s loss is absurd.