straw man straw man /strɔː mæn/

noun

1. An effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds  ( bird-scarer , scarecrow , scarer , straw man , strawman )
   an effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds
    The farmer put a scarecrow in the cornfield to scare off the birds
   The farmer put a scarecrow in the cornfield to scare off the birds
   
   
2. A weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted  ( straw man , strawman )
   a weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted
   
3. A person used as a cover for some questionable activity  ( figurehead , front man , nominal head , front , straw man , strawman )
   a person used as a cover for some questionable activity