Stab in the back

Meaning

The idiom "stab in the back" refers to a sudden betrayal or act of treachery committed against someone who has trusted or relied on them. It suggests that the person who was betrayed had no idea that their trust was being violated and that the betrayal came as a complete shock.

Usage

• I can't believe my friend betrayed me like this. He was my rock, and now he's stabbed me in the back.
• The team was shocked by the sudden resignation of their star player. It felt like a stab in the back to their loyalty and trust.
• After years of supporting her through thick and thin, I couldn't believe my sister would betray our family like this. It feels like a stab in the back.
• The company's CEO was known for his generosity, so it was a shock when he suddenly laid off several employees without warning. It felt like a stab in the back to their hard work and loyalty.
• I had always trusted my boss implicitly until he gave away my promotion to someone else. It felt like a stab in the back to all that hard work and dedication. The usage of "stab in the back" can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used to refer to a personal betrayal or a professional one. Additionally, the severity of the betrayal can also impact the way the idiom is used.

Roots and History

The idiom "stab in the back" dates back to medieval times when armor was worn by knights and soldiers in battle. If an enemy could sneak up behind a knight and stab him in the back, it would be almost impossible for the knight to defend himself or escape. This scenario became a metaphor for betrayal and treachery, with the "stab" representing a sudden and unexpected attack against someone who had trusted and relied on them. Over time, the idiom has evolved to refer to any type of betrayal or act of treachery, regardless of the context. It is now commonly used in contemporary language to describe situations where someone has betrayed another person's trust.

Synonyms in English

• Backstabbing
• Betrayal
• Turncoat
• Treachery
• Disloyalty

Synonyms in other languages

• Espionage (French) - This idiom refers to the act of spying on someone and betraying their trust.
• Dolce vita (Italian) - This idiom refers to the culture of indulgence and leisure that emerged in Italy after World War II, which was often associated with greed and selfishness.
• Beteigeuze (Portuguese) - This idiom refers to a person who is hypocritical and pretends to be innocent or virtuous.
• Skulduggery (Scottish) - This idiom refers to deceitful or treacherous behavior, often involving trickery or fraud.
• Forspürung (German) - This idiom refers to the act of betraying someone's trust by withholding important information or taking advantage of their confidence.

Similar Idioms

• stone’s throw

• get hitched

• shadowban