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

She told the PM: "Labour MPs are going on the record saying that the chancellor is toast, and the reality is that she is a human shield for his incompetence."

From BBC

Meanwhile, at the party Valentin’s buddy seizes Mook as a human shield.

From Los Angeles Times

“The decision has chosen the side of terror and evil over democracy and freedom, and turned the very system of justice into a human shield for Hamas’ crimes against humanity,” he added.

From BBC

Is it legal, in a conflict situation, to kill a human shield?

From Salon

Israel says it is targeting “terrorist infrastructure sites, Hezbollah command centers, and weapons storage facilities… embedded by Hezbollah adjacent to civilian infrastructure” and “exploiting the civilian population as a human shield.”

From Los Angeles Times