Here's a breakdown:
* The image: The phrase conjures a scenario where someone is in danger (like being hit by a bus) and another person chooses to leave them to their fate rather than helping.
* The meaning: It implies that the person being "thrown under the bus" is being blamed, sacrificed, or otherwise made to take the fall for something that someone else did.
* The context: This idiom is commonly used in situations involving:
* Politics: When a politician blames a colleague or subordinate for a mistake.
* Business: When a coworker takes credit for someone else's work or blames them for their own failure.
* Personal relationships: When someone lies or betrays a friend or partner to protect themselves.
Here are some examples:
* "The manager threw the intern under the bus by blaming him for the project's failure, even though it was actually her fault."
* "After the scandal broke, the CEO threw the PR team under the bus to save his own reputation."
* "My friend threw me under the bus by telling my crush that I had a huge crush on him, even though I hadn't asked her to."
The idiom is generally used to express disapproval or anger towards someone who is seen as acting unfairly or dishonestly.