lightning rod
noun/ˈlaɪtnɪŋ rɒd/
/ˈlaɪtnɪŋ rɑːd/
(especially North American English) (British English usually lightning conductor)
- a long straight piece of metal or wire leading from the highest part of a building to the ground, put there to prevent lightning damaging the building
- a person or thing that attracts criticism, especially if the criticism is then not directed at somebody/something else
Check pronunciation:
lightning rod