thrown to the wolves
Left defensively exposed
To be thrown to the wolves is to be abandoned to face danger, criticism, or hostile forces without protection or support.
The image is of sacrifice—someone expendable being offered up to save others or to deflect blame.
When the scandal broke, the company threw their PR director to the wolves.
The expression often implies betrayal by those who should have provided defense, particularly in workplace or political contexts where a subordinate takes the fall for leadership failures.
- desertedLeft behind, uninhabited
- lion's denFierce feline's dwelling
- forsakenCompletely abandoned or discarded
- abandonedLeft behind completely
- left for deadDeserted as dying
fed to the lions · scapegoat · betrayed · martyrdom · neglected · left in the lurch · exploitation · sacrificial lamb · marooned · cast aside · cut loose · ostracized · perseverance · left behind · resilience · grit · fortitude · jilted
thrown to the wolvesprotected
Kept from harm
defended · shielded · sheltered · safeguarded · looked after
thrown to the wolvesstood by
Supported or awaited
backed up · supported · rallied behind · championed · vouched for
throw, throws, threw, throwing, thrower, wolves, wolfish, wolfishly