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
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 ● Oct. 5, 2025
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
A mammoth crowd turned up and served as a human shield for the defectors.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 24, 2022
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
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.
