professional victim: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘professional victim’ mean?
A *professional victim* is someone who habitually portrays themselves as a victim in order to gain sympathy or to manipulate others.
Idiom Explorer
An idiom often used to describe a person who is disliked or considered bad, with negative qualities or behavior.
The idiom "professional suicide" refers to actions or decisions that can severely harm or ruin one's career, reputation, or professional standing.
The idiom "problem child" refers to a person or thing that consistently causes difficulties or trouble.
When someone prevails upon another, they successfully persuade or convince them to do something, often through persistent effort or pleading.
The idiom "power-hungry" refers to a person who is excessively eager or desperate to gain or maintain power. They are driven by a strong desire for control or authority and may use unethical or manipulative means to achieve their goals.
The idiom *poster girl* refers to a person who embodies the qualities or characteristics of a particular cause, movement, or idea, often used in a positive or idealized way.
The idiom "poster boy" refers to a person who embodies or represents a particular quality, cause, or characteristic. They are often used as a symbol or spokesperson to promote or advertise something.
The idiom "play the victim card" means to intentionally act like a victim in order to gain sympathy or to avoid taking responsibility for one's actions.
Demystifying Martyrdom
The idiom "play the victim card" is closely related to the concept of a "professional victim." When someone is said to be playing the victim card, it means that they are intentionally portraying themselves as a victim in order to gain sympathy or attention. Just like a professional victim, they may be exaggerating or fabricating their claims of victimhood for personal gain. The idiom "play the victim card" suggests that the person is using their victim status as a tactic to manipulate others or to advance their own agenda.
The phrase "bad actor" is another idiom that is relevant to the concept of a professional victim. In this context, a bad actor refers to someone who is deliberately pretending or acting in a certain way for their own benefit. A professional victim can be seen as a type of bad actor, as they are intentionally adopting the role of a victim for personal gain. Both idioms highlight the deceptive and manipulative nature of someone who portrays themselves as a victim.
When someone is said to "fall victim" to a situation or circumstance, it means that they have become a victim of it. While this idiom is not directly related to the concept of a professional victim, it can still be applied to individuals who consistently portray themselves as victims. By constantly adopting a victim mindset, these individuals may "fall victim" to their own negative thinking patterns and perpetuate a cycle of victimhood in their lives.
The term "joe job" is a more specific idiom that refers to a type of online attack in which someone's reputation or professional life is damaged through the deliberate misrepresentation of their online identity. Although not directly related to the concept of a professional victim, the term "joe job" does highlight the potential for manipulation and deceit in online interactions. It serves as a reminder that not everyone who claims to be a victim may be telling the truth.
Lastly, the phrase "professional suicide" is another idiom that can be associated with the concept of a professional victim. When someone commits professional suicide, it means that they have taken actions or made decisions that have severely damaged their career or professional reputation. A professional victim, by constantly playing the victim role and blaming others for their problems, may also be committing professional suicide. Their inability to take responsibility for their actions or find solutions can have serious consequences in their professional life.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *professional victim* can be used in a sentence:
- She always plays the victim and blames others for her problems. She's a real professional victim.
- He constantly exaggerates his experiences to gain sympathy and attention. He's such a professional victim.
- Despite having many opportunities, she refuses to take responsibility for her actions and instead portrays herself as a victim. She's become a professional victim.
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