verb to betray someone or blame them for something, especially to avoid blame or punishment oneself
Politicians often throw their associates under the bus to distance themselves from scandals or controversial decisions.
When a colleague takes credit for someone else's work to advance their own career, they are throwing that person under the bus.
In academia, a student might throw their group members under the bus by claiming they did all the work on a group project.
In personal relationships, one partner might throw the other under the bus by shifting blame onto them in an argument.
Athletes sometimes throw their teammates under the bus by blaming them for a loss or poor performance.
In a legal setting, throwing someone under the bus can refer to a witness betraying their co-defendant in order to receive a lighter sentence.
Celebrities may throw their managers or publicists under the bus to avoid taking responsibility for a PR disaster.
In a professional setting, a writer might use the phrase 'throw someone under the bus' to describe a situation where someone is blamed or made a scapegoat for a mistake or failure, often to protect oneself or shift blame.
A psychologist may use this phrase to discuss interpersonal dynamics in a workplace or team setting, where one individual is unfairly blamed or betrayed by a colleague or superior.
A lawyer might use this expression when discussing legal matters involving workplace disputes or conflicts, where one party is unfairly implicated or made responsible for the actions of others.
A manager could use this phrase when addressing issues of accountability and responsibility within a team, emphasizing the importance of supporting and standing up for team members rather than throwing them under the bus.