Throw Under A Bus

[Genaro]

OK, I read Cecil’s answer about whether someone was actually tied to train tracks. How about thrown under a bus? Where did this phrase come from? Was someone ever thrown under a bus? Were Billy and Bob mad at Joe in back of the truck, asked John to get in front of the Greyhound and whoosh? Ill-fated prison escape attempt?

[samclem]

It only starts getting used(in the US) in the early 1980’s.

throw (someone) under the bus

From Grant Barrett’s site

Citations: [1984 David Remnick @ New Jersey Washington Post (Sept. 7) “Pensive, With Orange Hair Cyndi Lauper & Her Tunes on Tour ”: In the rock ’n’ roll business, you are either on the bus or under it. Playing “Feelings” with Eddie and the Condos in a buffet bar in Butte is under the bus. Peter Frampton is under the bus. God willing, so are the Bee Gees.]

Scroll down on that page to see the list of cites and dates.