[feed|throw] {sb} to the wolves
1
to make no effort to save or defend someone, particularly when they are being severely criticized or being treated unfairly
The idiom "feed someone to the wolves" has its origins in the metaphorical image of someone being sacrificed or abandoned to face danger or a difficult situation alone, much like a literal act of throwing a person to a pack of wolves. This idiom is typically used to describe a situation where someone is left to deal with a difficult or dangerous circumstance on their own, usually by those who should have supported or protected them. It implies betrayal, abandonment, or lack of loyalty.
- When the scandal broke, the company's CEO threw the lower-level employees to the wolves to protect his own reputation.
- Instead of helping his friend in need, he decided to feed him to the wolves by revealing his secrets to everyone.
- The coach blamed the loss on the rookie player, effectively throwing him to the wolves in front of the team.
- In politics, when things go wrong, some politicians are quick to throw their allies to the wolves.
- The manager decided to feed the underperforming project to the wolves rather than investing more resources to improve it.