Phrase guide

throw under the bus

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To betray or blame (something or someone); to deliberately put (something or someone) in an unfavorable situation and then leave to their fate; to make (something or someone) into a scapegoat or otherwise abandon for personal gain.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To discard or disown.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive, usually

Qualifier: idea

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Attested from the early 1980s, possibly of UK origin.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: kaste under bussen — betray
  • Finnish: uhrata — betray
  • Finnish: tehdä syntipukki — betray
  • French: pousser sous le bus — betray
  • German: in die Pfanne hauen — betray
  • Norwegian Bokmål: kaste under bussen — betray
  • Portuguese: jogar embaixo do ônibus — betray
  • Spanish: poner a alguien a los pies de los caballos — betray
  • Spanish: echar la pelota — betray
  • Spanish: pasar la pelota — betray
  • Spanish: tirar dedo — betray
  • Spanish: achacar — betray
  • Spanish: echarle el perro muerto — betray