1. A weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted
   "Her argument was nothing but a strawman, easily knocked down";
   - straw man
    
2. An effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds
   "The farmer placed a strawman in the middle of the cornfield";
   - scarecrow, straw man, bird-scarer, scarer
    
3. A male person used as a cover for some questionable activity
   "They suspected he was just a strawman for the real criminals behind the scheme";
   - straw man, front man

Derived forms: strawmen, straw men

Type of: adult male, bozo [N. Amer, informal], cat [N. Amer, informal], chappie [Brit, informal], effigy, figurehead, front, geezer [Brit, informal], guy [informal], hombre [N. Amer, informal], image, man, nominal head, simulacrum, sod [informal], specious argument

Encyclopedia: Strawman