PhrasesHub

Throw under the bus

    Definitions

      • Betray or sacrifice someone for personal gain
        To intentionally expose or blame someone else for one's own mistakes or wrongdoing in order to avoid consequences or gain an advantage

      • Abandon or turn against someone
        To suddenly and unexpectedly abandon or turn against someone, often in a time of need or difficulty

      • Disregard or dismiss someone
        To disregard someone's contributions or opinions, often in a disrespectful or dismissive manner

    Examples of Throw under the bus

    • The sales team's poor performance has been thrown under the bus by the CEO during the company meeting.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is being blamed or made to take the fall for a mistake or failure that was actually the fault of someone else. In this example, the CEO has publicly criticized the sales team for their poor performance, effectively blaming them for the company's problems. This can be seen as a way of "throwing them under the bus," or leaving them to take the blame and suffer the consequences.

    • The politician's opponent tried to throw his scandalous past under the bus during the debate, but the candidate was able to deflect the accusations.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in a political context. In this case, the opponent is trying to damage the candidate's reputation by bringing up his past mistakes or misdeeds. By "throwing them under the bus," the opponent is hoping to make the candidate look bad and undermine his credibility. However, the candidate is able to deflect the accusations and avoid being blamed for his past mistakes.

    • The manager was forced to throw her assistant under the bus after she made a costly mistake that resulted in a major loss for the company.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in a workplace setting. In this case, the manager is in a difficult position because her assistant made a serious error that has negatively impacted the company. By "throwing her under the bus," the manager is essentially blaming her assistant for the mistake and taking steps to minimize the damage. This can be a difficult decision for a manager, as it can strain the relationship between the two and potentially harm the assistant's career prospects.

    • The athlete's coach tried to throw him under the bus after a disappointing performance, but the player was able to rally and turn things around.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in a sports context. In this case, the coach is criticizing the player for a poor performance, essentially blaming him for the team's loss. By "throwing him under the bus," the coach is putting pressure on the player to improve and perform better in the future. However, the player is able to rise to the challenge and redeem himself, demonstrating his resilience and determination.

    • The student's teacher tried to throw her under the bus after she plagiarized a paper, but the student was able to explain the situation and avoid serious consequences.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in an academic setting. In this case, the teacher has discovered that the student has plagiarized a paper, and is blaming her for the offense. By "throwing her under the bus," the teacher is essentially accusing the student of cheating and threatening her with serious consequences. However, the student is able to explain the situation and provide a plausible explanation for what happened, allowing her to avoid serious consequences and learn from the experience.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "throw under the bus" is typically used to describe a situation in which someone is being betrayed, abandoned, or disregarded for personal gain or convenience. It can also refer to the act of shifting blame onto someone else in order to avoid consequences. Overall, the idiom carries a negative connotation and suggests a lack of loyalty or consideration for others.

    Origin of "Throw under the bus"

    The origin of the idiom "throw under the bus" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the mid-20th century in American English. One theory suggests that it may have originated in the world of sports, where athletes who performed poorly were figuratively "thrown under the bus" by their coaches or teammates. Another theory suggests that the phrase may have originated in the transportation industry, where accidents or mishaps were often blamed on the bus driver.

    Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom has become a popular and widely used phrase in everyday language. It is often used in casual conversations, as well as in more formal settings, to describe situations in which someone is being betrayed or sacrificed for the benefit of someone else. Its use has also been popularized in various forms of media, such as books, movies, and television shows, making it a well-known and easily recognizable idiom in modern English.