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

Wayne's body was acting as a human shield for his eldest daughter, but his mind was elsewhere: with his missing daughter Gigi.

From BBC

Up to now, Martin has been a human shield, an easy punchbag, but for all the animosity he drew no Rangers fan thinks that the club's problems began and ended with him.

From BBC

Yahya Sinwar, 61, was said to have spent much of his time hiding in the tunnels under the Strip, along with a cadre of bodyguards and a 'human shield' of hostages seized from Israel.

From BBC

None of the hostages Sinwar was believed to be using as a human shield were present and his small retinue suggests either he was trying to move unnoticed, or had lost many of those protecting him.

From BBC

Celebrities had flown to Alabama to form a human shield around the marchers, the idea being that surely no one would take a shot at Belafonte.

From Seattle Times