human shield
The term "human shield" is often used in military contexts to describe the use of civilians to protect combat targets, but it also appears in rhetoric to denote diversion tactics.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1Military
(technical)Civilians placed near combat targets to deter enemy attacks.
Example
- The soldiers used villagers as a human shield to prevent the enemy from bombing the area.
C1Military
(technical)Individuals positioned to protect military targets, either voluntarily or under coercion.
Example
- The militia forced the locals to act as a human shield during the conflict.
C1Rhetoric
(figurative)Third parties used to divert attention away from accusations or criticism.
Example
- The politician used the charity event as a human shield to deflect criticism from the media.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "human shield":