cannon fodder

noun

1. soldiers, especially infantrymen, who run the greatest risk of being wounded or killed in warfare.

cannon fodder

noun

1. men regarded as expendable because they are part of a huge army

Word History and Origins

Origin of cannon fodder¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

However, he says, they should not be presumed to be cannon fodder - adding such a characterisation is “Ukrainian bravado”.

From BBC

“I’m kind of used to my identity being cannon fodder,” Bennet says in a recent Zoom interview.

From Los Angeles Times

The Go8 has called the proposed laws "draconian", while others accused the government of "wilfully weakening" the economy and of using international students as "cannon fodder in a poll-driven battle over migration".

From BBC

And the Rohingyas fear that is the reason they are being targeted again - to be cannon fodder in a war the junta seems to be losing.

From BBC

In a video, they pleaded for help, saying that other inmates were trying to get them to leave their cells and were going to use them "as cannon fodder".

From BBC