punching bag

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punch·ing bag

(pŭn′chĭng)

1. A stuffed or inflated bag made of leather or other durable material that is either mounted on a stand or suspended at a height suitable for being punched or kicked for practice or exercise.

2. A target of frequent criticism or abuse: "He ... became a punching bag for every comic's fat jokes" (Vanity Fair).

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

punch′ing bag`

an inflated or stuffed bag, usu. suspended, punched with the fists as an exercise.

[1895–1900]

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Noun	1.	punching bag - a person on whom another person vents their anger; "he resigned because his boss used him as a punching bag" victim - an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
	2.	punching bag - an inflated ball or bag that is suspended and punched for training in boxing punch bag, punchball, punching ball ball - round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games; "the ball travelled 90 mph on his serve"; "the mayor threw out the first ball"; "the ball rolled into the corner pocket"

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