在英文中,人们用“punchbag(沙袋)”比喻发泄怒气的对象,而中文里也有类似的表达。
“出气筒”,指无充分的理由或恰当的原因而被人当做发泄怒火的“工具”。“出气”,字面意思是“排放空气(air-out)”,引申含义为“发泄气愤(give vent to one’s anger)”。常见表达为“把某人当成出气筒(use somebody as a punchbag)”。
我又没得罪你,别拿我出气。
I’m not the one who offended you. Don’t take it out on me.
他的秘书成了他的出气筒。
His secretary had to bear the burnt of his temper.