throw to the wolves

idiom

The idiom "throw to the wolves" is often used to describe abandoning someone to a difficult or dangerous situation, usually to protect oneself or others.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(informal)To abandon someone in a difficult situation without any support or protection.

Example

When the scandal broke, the manager was thrown to the wolves by the company.

B2General

(informal)To sacrifice someone to save oneself or others.

Example

He threw his colleague to the wolves to avoid getting fired.

B2General

(informal)To place someone in a position where they are likely to face severe criticism or danger.

Example

The rookie was thrown to the wolves during his first big project.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "throw to the wolves":

throw to the dogs throw under the bus throw the bull throw in throw the book at throw about throw out toss out throw on throw over