punching bag
US /ˈpʌn.tʃɪŋ ˌbæɡ/
UK /ˈpʌn.tʃɪŋ ˌbæɡ/
1.
a heavy bag, usually made of leather or canvas, filled with sand or other material, that is suspended from above and used for punching practice by boxers or other martial artists
:
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He trains daily with a punching bag to improve his boxing skills.
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The gym has several different types of punching bags.
2.
a person or thing that is repeatedly subjected to criticism, abuse, or attack
:
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He became the team's punching bag after a series of losses.
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The manager used the new intern as a punching bag for all his frustrations.