Cannon fodder

Cannon fodder is an informal, derogatory term used to describe combatants, particularly soldiers, who are regarded as expendable in warfare. It refers to individuals who are sent into dangerous situations without concern for their safety, often viewed as unimportant by their superiors. The term can also be applied more broadly to people assigned to difficult or unpleasant tasks that others wish to avoid. In essence, cannon fodder signifies those who bear the brunt of conflict or hardship, often at great personal risk.