How do you deal with people who throw you under the bus? (2024)

How do you deal with people who throw you under the bus?

You want and need to respond with a clear head. Take some deep breaths, and excuse yourself as soon as possible to calm down and assess the situation. Remember, if it's a true case of being thrown under the bus, you've been wrongly assigned blame.

People so thrown are typically in a vulnerable position. The phrase's origin is uncertain, but it likely got its start in British politics, where the phrase "under a bus" was already in use as a metaphor for misfortune or a conveniently-timed accident.

Throwing a colleague under the bus is one of the quickest ways to destroy team resilience. Sacrificing a teammate for a temporary and often minor advantage demonstrates your lack of commitment to your colleague and the team. Even well-meaning people can sacrifice a teammate under pressure.

"To throw (someone) under the bus" is an idiomatic phrase in English meaning to abandon a friend or ally for selfish reasons. It is typically used to describe a disavowal and possibly severance of a previously amicable or warm relationship.

Talk to Others

Reach out to co-workers who've had problems with the colleague in the past and ask how they've handled the sabotage. Speak to your supervisor if you aren't able to stop the sabotage. Calmly explain your concerns without insulting your co-worker. Explain the facts and ask for your supervisor's advice.

Being thrown under the bus means someone elevated their status and lowered yours in front of others.

How do you tell if someone is sabotaging you?

Origin of Throw Someone Under the Bus

Most sources agree that it appeared sometime in the 1980s or early 1990s. Some say it was especially popular in the contexts of sports and politics. This expression carries the connotation of blaming another person for one's own mistake.

throw (something) in (one's) face

To exploit some information or evidence as a means of accosting or upbraiding one. The boss throws that awful presentation in my face anytime I ask for more responsibilities.

Cause someone to be confused or perplexed, disconcert someone, as in We didn't let our worries throw us, or That unfavorable review threw her.

Someone may be undermining you if they: Purposefully share mistakes you've made with others. Interrupt you and contradict what you're saying in a way that makes others negatively question your words or ideas. Take action to lessen the importance of your achievements or how you realized4 your accomplishments.

Where did thrown under the bus come from?

The earliest solid example of “throw under the bus” found in print so far is from 1991, although a 1984 quote from rock star Cyndi Lauper where she uses the phrase “under the bus” (without “throw”) may or may not count as a sighting.

Cause someone to be confused or perplexed, disconcert someone, as in We didn't let our worries throw us, or That unfavorable review threw her.

throw (something) in (one's) face

To exploit some information or evidence as a means of accosting or upbraiding one. The boss throws that awful presentation in my face anytime I ask for more responsibilities.

Nowadays, to sit at the back of the bus has come to mean to accept unfair treatment (of oneself).

Some common synonyms of throw are cast, fling, hurl, pitch, sling, and toss.

Yeet is a slang word that functions broadly with the meaning “to throw,” but is especially used to emphasize forcefulness and a lack of concern for the thing being thrown. (You don't yeet something if you're worried that it might break.)

To cause one to be greatly confused, perplexed, or disconcerted; to befuddle or bemuse one. It really threw us when Olivia announced she was leaving the company. His caustic response threw me, as it seemed to come out of nowhere.

Analysis. To 'rub something in somebody's face' is to gloat or boast with the effect of making someone feel bad. similar in meaning to the expressions 'to rub it in', 'to rub salt in the wound' or 'to brag'. This is a casual idiom that is mainly used in social contexts.

What does exploit mean? As a verb, exploit commonly means to selfishly take advantage of someone in order to profit from them or otherwise benefit oneself. As a noun, exploit means a notable or heroic accomplishment.

Slang. to behave in a confrontational or annoyingly direct or persistent manner toward someone.

Who sat in the back of the bus?