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/Sounds like "pah" (as in "park") + "GAHR" (as in "garden") + "EHL" (as in "egg") + "PAH" (as in "park") + "toh" (as in "toll")/

Meaning

To take the fall for something you didn't do. Whoever 'pays the duck' carries someone else's guilt without having deserved it, the classic innocent bystander who gets punished.

Examples

Since I arrived late I ended up taking the blame for the mess that was already there.

The person least involved in the problem always ends up taking the fall.

Regional synonyms

A drama queen, someone who makes a huge scene over the smallest things. In Mexico and Argentina, a panchero turns a glass of water into a tsunami. They exaggerate everything and love being the center of attention during any conflict.