English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Throw under the bus
Meaning
The idiom "throw under the bus" means to betray someone or reveal information about them that could harm their reputation or career. It is a figurative expression that suggests the person being betrayed will be sacrificed or left to take the fall for someone else's mistakes.
Usage
- When I found out my colleague had been stealing company supplies, I knew I had to throw them under the bus and report them to management.
- My boss asked me to throw my team member under the bus and blame them for the project's failure.
- When I discovered my brother had cheated on his exams, I felt guilty for throwing him under the bus and exposing him.
- The media is known for throwing politicians under the bus during election campaigns.
- My friend suggested that we throw our classmate under the bus and blame them for not contributing to the group project.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom "throw under the bus" is unclear, but it is believed to have been used in the transportation industry. In the early days of public transportation, buses were pulled by horses and had a small caboose on top for passengers to stand in. When a passenger got sick or wanted to go home, they could be thrown out of the caboose and left behind while the bus continued on its route. Over time, the idiom evolved to mean betrayal or sacrifice, likely due to the negative connotations associated with being thrown out of a moving vehicle.
Synonyms in English
- Scapegoat: a person who is blamed for a mistake or wrongdoing.
- Sacrifice: to give up something valuable for the benefit of others.
- Betrayal: the act of revealing confidential information or betraying someone's trust.
- Expose: to make something known that was previously hidden.
- Sacrifice someone/something: to harm or destroy something in order to gain an advantage.
Synonyms in other languages
- 冒骰 (Chinese): to take a risk or gamble on someone's fate.
- 杯目枷 (Japanese): to sacrifice oneself for the sake of others.
- לעשות מינים המנפגן (Hebrew): to commit an act that is considered a sin or transgression.
- פסחים שנים ואלרגבן תשחים (Hebrew): to sacrifice oneself for the sake of others.
- זקוה אכסדיך נפשים נטעשה מעברה (Hebrew): to sacrifice one's life for the sake of others.