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Region: US | Usage example: He threw her under the bus when the project failed.

Throw you under the bus

Meaning

Blame or sacrifice someone else to save oneself.

Usage

Used when someone betrays a colleague to avoid blame.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Modern American metaphor about sacrificing someone to avoid negative consequences.

Gained traction in the 1980s corporate press.

Related Idioms

Throw the book at

Punish severely by applying all available rules.

Keep it under your hat

Keep something secret.

Under the wire

Just before a deadline.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.