Definition

1. Noun:
   • A weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted: The primary modern meaning refers to a logical fallacy where someone misrepresents an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.
   • An effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds: A literal figure, traditionally made of straw, used as a scarecrow.
   • A person used as a cover for some questionable activity: A front person who serves to conceal the true nature or people behind an activity.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Logical Fallacy):
  • He attacked a straw man by claiming I wanted to ban all cars, when I only suggested reducing pollution.
  • Politicians often use straw man arguments to avoid addressing their opponent's real points.
• Noun (Scarecrow):
  • The farmer put up a straw man in the cornfield to keep the crows away.
• Noun (Front Person):
  • The corrupt official used a local businessman as a straw man to hide his illegal investments.

Advanced Usage

• "To set up/attack/knock down a straw man": Common collocations describing the process of the logical fallacy.
  • Her entire speech was spent knocking down straw men instead of engaging with the actual proposal.
• "Straw man proposal": A preliminary, often simplistic, version of a plan put forward for discussion and criticism.
  • Let's start with a straw man proposal so we have something concrete to debate and improve.

Variants and Related Words

• Strawman (noun): An alternative, often single-word, spelling of "straw man."
• Straw-man (adjective): Used attributively to describe the type of argument or figure.
  • That's a classic straw-man fallacy.
• Scarecrow (noun): A direct synonym for the effigy meaning.
• Front man (noun): A close synonym for the person used as a cover.

Synonyms

• Misrepresentation (for the argument): A false or misleading account.
• Fallacy (for the argument): A mistaken belief or flawed reasoning.
• Effigy (for the scarecrow): A sculpture or model of a person.
• Figurehead (for the person): A leader in name only.

Related Phrases

• A man of straw: An idiom with a similar meaning to the "front person" definition, describing someone who is weak, insubstantial, or set up to take blame.
  • The CEO was merely a man of straw; the real power lay with the board.
• To argue against a straw man: To engage in the fallacy of refuting a misrepresented argument.

Noun

1. an effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds
2. a weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted
3. a person used as a cover for some questionable activity