throw someone under the bus
Say it: throw someone under the BUS /ˌθrəʊ ˌsʌmwʌn ˌʌndə ðə ˈbʌs/ · idiom
What “throw someone under the bus” means
Betray or blame someone to protect yourself.
More precisely: To betray or blame someone else to protect yourself.
Example: “When the client complained, my manager threw me under the bus.”
When to use it
When someone shifts blame onto another person to save themselves. Informal and strongly critical, especially in workplace disputes.
Similar words
betray, scapegoat, sell out
Quick check
You caused a booking mistake, but tell the organiser your innocent colleague did it to avoid trouble. Which phrase fits?
throw someone under the bus or take one for the team?
Show the answer
throw someone under the bus
Learn 5 new words a day in Kinquire. Each with a picture, how to say it, an example and a quick check, then spaced review so you actually keep them. Free to start.
Learn “throw someone under the bus”