throw under the bus
Blame to escape
To throw someone under the bus is to betray or sacrifice them for your own benefit, especially by shifting blame onto them: When the project failed, management threw the junior staff under the bus.
The image is of literally pushing someone into the path of a vehicle.
The phrase implies callousness—the person being sacrificed is often an ally or subordinate who trusted you.
Betray someone's trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
- betrayViolate a trust
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
disloyalty · deceive · undermine · traitor · two-faced · stab in the back · turn on · duplicitous
backstab
Betray someone's trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
- betrayViolate a trust
treachery · disloyalty · deceive · undermine · traitor · two-faced · stab in the back · turn on · duplicitous · disloyal
scapegoat
Unfairly blamed person
incriminate · implicate · fault · denounce · frame · pin on · cover-up · sacrifice · expendable · take the fall
- dirty tacticsdirty trick, dirty tricks, dirty pool, foul play, cheap shot
- corporate jargonsynergy, stakeholders, deep dive, circle back, leverage
throw under the busstand by
Remain ready to assist
have someone's back · stick up for · stand up for · cover for · fall on one's sword
throw under the bustake the blame
fall on one's sword · take one for the team · take the rap · take the heat · own up