‘Throw Someone Under The Bus’, Meaning & Context

The meaning of the idiom “throw someone under the bus” is to blame or abandon someone for selfish reasons, typically to avoid blame or gain an advantage. It is a highly negative expression, and it is often used to describe a disavowal of a previously amicable relationship.

For example, a politician might throw a fellow politician under the bus to avoid being associated with a scandal. Or, a businessperson might throw a colleague under the bus to take credit for a project or to avoid being fired.

It is important to note that this idiom should only be used in situations where someone has truly betrayed or abandoned another person for selfish reasons.

The origin of the idiom “throw someone under the bus”

The idiom “throw someone under the bus” is likely of British origin and first appeared in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The earliest known written use of the phrase was in 1982, by British journalist Julian Critchley.

The phrase is sometimes wrongly attributed to American singer Cyndi Lauper, but she never actually said it. The line “In the rock ‘n’ roll business, you are either on the bus or under it” was written by journalist David Remnick in an article about Lauper, but it is not attributed to her or anyone else.

Whatever its origins, the phrase “throw someone under the bus” has become a common idiom in English. It is used to describe any act of betrayal or abandonment, whether it is in the literal or figurative sense.

throw someone under the bus

The idiom “throw someone under the bus” in political discourse

The idiom “throw someone under the bus” is commonly used in political discourse to describe a situation in which a politician blames or abandons a colleague or ally for personal gain. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to avoid being associated with a scandal, to take credit for a colleague’s accomplishments, or to simply improve one’s own chances of political advancement.

In recent years, the idiom has been used to describe a number of high-profile political events. For example, some have accused President Donald Trump of throwing his former Chief of Staff, John Kelly, under the bus by blaming him for the administration’s chaotic early days. Similarly, some have accused former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton of throwing her former campaign manager, Robby Mook, under the bus by blaming him for her loss to Donald Trump in the 2016 election.

The use of the idiom “throw someone under the bus” in political discourse is often seen as a sign of cynicism and opportunism. When a politician throws someone under the bus, they are essentially saying that they are more interested in their own political success than they are in the loyalty of their colleagues or allies. This can be a damaging accusation, and it can lead to a loss of trust and respect among voters.

Of course, not all instances of the idiom “throw someone under the bus” in political discourse are created equal. Sometimes, politicians may need to distance themselves from colleagues or allies who have done something wrong. For example, if a politician’s colleague is accused of a crime, the politician may need to publicly disavow them in order to protect their own reputation. However, when politicians throw someone under the bus simply to advance their own political careers, it is often seen as a sign of weakness and character.

The idiom “throw someone under the bus” in business and commerce

The idiom “throw someone under the bus” is also commonly used in business and commercial discourse. In this context, it refers to the act of blaming or abandoning a colleague or employee for personal gain. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to avoid being blamed for a mistake, to take credit for someone else’s work, or to simply improve one’s own chances of advancement.

For example, a salesperson might throw their colleague under the bus by blaming them for a lost sale, even if the salesperson was also at fault. Or, a manager might throw their employee under the bus by taking credit for the employee’s work on a successful project.

The use of the idiom “throw someone under the bus” in business and commercial discourse can be just as damaging as it is in political discourse. When someone is thrown under the bus, they can lose their reputation, their job, and even their livelihood.

Using the idiom “throw someone under the bus” in business and commerce is often seen as a sign of a cutthroat and unethical work environment. When someone is thrown under the bus, it shows that people are more interested in their own personal gain than in the well-being of their colleagues or employees. This can create a toxic work environment and can lead to high turnover and low morale.