meatshield
Expendable human barrier
A meatshield is someone positioned to absorb damage or danger meant for others.
In gaming, it's a character—often expendable—who draws enemy fire while teammates attack.
The term extends to real-world situations: a hostage used as a meatshield, or an employee sent to face an angry client.
The image is grimly literal: flesh as barrier.
Send the tank in as a meatshield while we flank them.
Coarse livestock nourishment
- pawnUnwitting tool of another
- gruntLow guttural sound
- minionServile subordinate
- underlingPerson of lower rank
peon · hireling · lackey · stooge · redshirt · henchman · footsoldier · conscript
Obstruction preventing passage
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
- defenderOne who guards another
- guardWatchful defensive attention
blocker · cover · absorber · interceptor · bodyguard · protector · screen · sponge
fodder
Coarse livestock nourishment
underling · peon · hireling · lackey · stooge · redshirt · henchman · footsoldier · conscript · frontliner
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
- defenderOne who guards another
guard · blocker · cover · absorber · interceptor · bodyguard · protector · screen · sponge · dampener
tank
Large storage vessel
hitpoints · raid · dungeon · mob · boss · rpg · multiplayer · co-op · party · guild
decoy
False target for misdirection
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
- diversionRedirection of attention
- baitLure for prey
buffer · frontline · flank · maneuver · feint · positioning · formation · screen · vanguard · rearguard
meatshieldirreplaceable
Having no adequate substitute
VIP · principal · essential personnel · linchpin · indispensable
meat, shield, meats, meaty, meatier, meatiest, meatiness, shields, shielded