human shield

American  

noun

1. a person or group of people located or intentionally placed in a potential line of fire or in an area likely to be attacked.

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Etymology

Origin of human shield

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

He's a guy who earned a highly paid job by failing upward, knowing that his ultimate purpose is to be a human shield.

From Salon • May 29, 2023

“If successful,” Nebenzya said, Russian troops and the inspectors “would have become the human shield of the saboteurs.”

From Washington Post • Sep. 6, 2022

Emily is trying to use you as a human shield to hide from her 30th birthday, and you know what?

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2022

“And now, you all don’t have your human shield to take the slings and arrows. So the spotlight of accountability turns to you.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2021

With Hector balanced on my hip, I position myself as a human shield near the door while simultaneously keeping my eye on Lenny’s nice lamp, ready to leap for it if necessary.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden