human shield
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of human shield
First recorded in 1880–85
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After matches, national team supporters often form a human shield so that Mboladinga can leave the stadium without getting swarmed by fans eager to take photos or record TikTok videos.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
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
They say they're even ready to act as a human shield, if that helps evacuate the men to safety.
From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2022
A mammoth crowd turned up and served as a human shield for the defectors.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 24, 2022
Kyle, Akimi, and Sierra formed a human shield to hide their Bibliomania box.
From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
