Looking for synonyms for throw under the bus? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say throw under the bus.
- Betray
- Backstab
- Sacrifice
- Sell out
- Scapegoat
- Double-cross
- Undermine
- Blame
- Sacrifice as a scapegoat
- Turn against
- Abandon
- Set up
- Hang out to dry
- Leave high and dry
- Stab in the back
- Turn one’s back on
- Ditch
- Forsake
- Betray trust
- Cast aside
Want to learn how to say throw under the bus professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Betray
Used when someone is disloyal to another, breaking trust in a significant way.
Example: He felt betrayed when his colleague shared confidential information with a competitor.
2. Backstab
Appropriate for describing an act of betrayal by someone trusted, usually done secretly or deceitfully.
Example: Despite years of friendship, she backstabbed him by taking credit for his work.
3. Sacrifice
Suitable for instances where someone is offered as a forfeit to benefit someone else or to avoid a problem.
Example: In the board meeting, she was sacrificed to cover up the team’s overall failure.
4. Sell out
Used when someone betrays their principles or associates for personal gain.
Example: He sold out his co-workers to secure a promotion for himself.
5. Scapegoat
Appropriate for situations where someone is unfairly blamed for the wrongdoings or failures of others.
Example: The junior team member was used as a scapegoat for the project’s failure.
6. Double-cross
Used when someone is deceitfully betrayed, especially after a promise or deal.
Example: After agreeing to a fair division of the project, she double-crossed him by claiming all the credit.
7. Undermine
Suitable for situations where someone’s position, authority, or effectiveness is weakened, often subtly.
Example: By spreading rumors, he undermined her authority within the team.
8. Blame
Used when responsibility for a fault or wrong is attributed to someone, often unfairly.
Example: She was blamed for the marketing campaign’s failure, despite her minimal involvement.
9. Sacrifice as a scapegoat
When someone is made to take the full blame to protect others or the interests of a group.
Example: To protect the company’s reputation, a lower-level employee was sacrificed as a scapegoat.
10. Turn against
Appropriate when someone shifts loyalty away from an ally, becoming hostile or oppositional.
Example: He turned against his mentor in the hopes of gaining favor with the senior management.
11. Abandon
Used when someone is left completely without support in a critical situation.
Example: In the midst of the crisis, she felt abandoned by her colleagues who refused to back her plan.
12. Set up
Suitable for describing a situation where someone is made to appear guilty of something they did not do.
Example: He was set up to look like the instigator of the dispute, despite his attempts to mediate.
13. Hang out to dry
Used when someone is left in a vulnerable position without support, typically to avoid blame.
Example: After the negotiation failed, she was hung out to dry by her team who denied their strategies.
14. Leave high and dry
Appropriate for situations where someone is abandoned without help or support, often unexpectedly.
Example: When the scandal broke out, he was left high and dry by those he thought were his allies.
15. Stab in the back
Used when someone is betrayed in a treacherous or deceitful manner by someone they trusted.
Example: His business partner stabbed him in the back by secretly negotiating a deal with a rival company.
16. Turn one’s back on
When someone withdraws their support or attention, ignoring someone’s need for help.
Example: When she needed their support the most, her colleagues turned their backs on her.
17. Ditch
Suitable for leaving someone abruptly and typically without a prior notice, especially in a difficult situation.
Example: He ditched his project team at the first sign of trouble, leaving them to deal with the fallout.
18. Forsake
Used when someone renounces or gives up something valued, such as loyalty or support.
Example: She felt forsaken by her closest friends in the industry during the legal battle.
19. Betray trust
Appropriate for instances where someone fails to honor or uphold a trusted relationship.
Example: By leaking the confidential proposal, he betrayed the trust of the entire team.
20. Cast aside
Used when someone is disregarded or discarded, often after being valued or important.
Example: Once the merger was completed, the founding members were cast aside by the new management.
