[throw] {sb} under the bus
1
to gain advantage at the cost of someone else's suffering or loss
The origin of the idiom "throw someone under the bus" is not definitively known, but it likely stems from the literal idea of someone being pushed or thrown beneath a bus, resulting in harm or betrayal. This phrase is used when someone is willing to sacrifice or betray another person to protect themselves or achieve their own goals. It often implies a lack of loyalty or a willingness to harm someone else for personal gain. This can happen in various contexts, including the workplace, relationships, or politics.
- She threw her colleague under the bus by blaming him for the project's failure when it was a team effort.
- In a desperate attempt to avoid punishment, the suspect tried to throw his accomplice under the bus.
- He didn't hesitate to throw his closest friends under the bus when he faced legal trouble.
- The manager decided to throw the interns under the bus when the client complained about the project.
- Politicians often use tactics to throw their opponents under the bus in order to gain an advantage in the election.