feed / throw sb to the wolves

/fˈiːd θɹˈəʊ ˌɛsbˈiː tə ðə wˈʊlvz/

/fˈiːd θɹˈoʊ ˌɛsbˈiː tə ðə wˈʊlvz/

to feed / throw sb to the wolves

to make no effort to save or defend someone, particularly when they are being severely criticized or being treated unfairly

What is the origin of the idiom "feed someone to the wolves" and when to use it?

The idiom "feed someone to the wolves" has its origins in the metaphorical image of someone being sacrificed or abandoned to face danger or a difficult situation alone, much like a literal act of throwing a person to a pack of wolves. This idiom is typically used to describe a situation where someone is left to deal with a difficult or dangerous circumstance on their own, usually by those who should have supported or protected them. It implies betrayal, abandonment, or lack of loyalty.

Examples

1. He cares nothing for the people he works with and is willing to feed them to the wolves if it means his stock might increase a bit.

2. And for us to just, you know, assume someone else is going to take care of them and throw them to the wolves, which is what HHS was doing, is flat-out wrong.

3. You know, talking about hotdog on a stick, throwing Kearney to the wolves.

4. Yeah, and that situation you may even use the really strong term, they threw me to the wolves.