What does THROW SOMEONE UNDER THE BUS mean?

If you’re learning or teaching English, you’ve probably heard the expression “throw someone under the bus.” It’s common in workplaces, politics, social media, and everyday conversations. But what does it really mean? Where does it come from? And how can you use it naturally?

In this guide, you’ll learn the meaning, origin, real examples, synonyms, and related slang—all explained in clear, modern English.

Throw Someone Under The Bus | meaning

The definition we gt from the Cambridge Dictionary to To throw someone under the bus is:

to do something harmful to someone else in order to gain an advantage for yourself

In simple terms:

To blame, betray, or sacrifice another person to protect yourself or gain an advantage.

So, you save yourself by letting someone else take the fall.

It usually carries a negative tone, suggesting disloyalty, selfishness, or lack of integrity.

Basic Structure

throw + person + under the bus

Examples:

• throw your colleague under the bus
• throw me under the bus
• throw her team under the bus

Examples in Context

Here are examples you may hear in real-life English:

• When the project failed, he threw his assistant under the bus.
• Don’t throw your teammates under the bus just to impress the boss.
• I trusted him, but he threw me under the bus in front of everyone.
• The student blamed the teacher and totally threw her under the bus.
• Influencers sometimes throw their partners under the bus when scandals happen.
• The minister threw his advisor under the bus to save his career.
• I expected support from my manager, but he threw me under the bus during the meeting. After that, I lost all trust in him.

Where Does “Throw Someone Under the Bus” Come From?

The expression is relatively modern.

It became popular in American English in the late 20th century, especially in:

• Politics
• Corporate culture
• Media interviews

The image is metaphorical:
You “push” someone into danger (in front of a bus) so you don’t get hit instead.

There is no proven connection to real historical events. It’s a vivid metaphor created to express betrayal and self-preservation.

Today, it’s widely used in:

• British English
• Canadian English
• Australian English
• International English

When and How to Use Throw Someone Under The Bus Correctly

Use this expression when:

✔ Someone avoids responsibility
✔ Someone shifts blame
✔ Someone protects themselves at another’s expense
✔ Someone betrays a colleague, friend, or partner

⚠️ Be Careful

Because it’s critical, avoid using it in very formal or sensitive situations unless appropriate.

Not ideal for:

• Official reports
• Academic papers
• Legal documents

Great for:

• Conversations
• Blogs
• Interviews
• Opinion pieces
• Social media

Related Slang and Informal Expressions

In casual English, you may also hear:

• “Throw under the train” (variation, less common)
• “Save your own skin”
• “Cover your back” / “Cover yourself”
• “Look out for number one”

Example:

“He’s just saving his own skin.”

Why This Expression Is So Important for English Learners

Learning idioms like “throw someone under the bus” helps you:

✅ Sound more natural
✅ Understand movies, series, and podcasts
✅ Improve listening comprehension
✅ Develop pragmatic competence
✅ Communicate emotions and attitudes better

This is especially useful for teachers who want to help students move beyond “textbook English.”

Quick Summary

Throw someone under the bus means:

✔ To betray someone
✔ To blame someone else
✔ To protect yourself
✔ To avoid responsibility

It’s common, powerful, and emotionally charged. So, use it wisely.

If you want to master expressions like this and teach English with more confidence, depth, and authenticity, focus on learning chunks, collocations, and real-life idioms — not isolated words.

Let me know if you’d like more posts like this for your blog or teaching materials.

Tak care. Keep learning. Keep teaching.