Stab somebody in the back
verb phrase
To betray someone.
Even after all the support he received from his team, he chose to stab them in the back by sharing confidential team strategies with the competitors.

Often appears as...
- stab a friend in the back
- stab a colleague in the back
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To betray someone.
Even after all the support he received from his team, he chose to stab them in the back by sharing confidential team strategies with the competitors.

Often appears as...
- stab a friend in the back
- stab a colleague in the back
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1

Betrayal Feelings
The phrase evokes deep feelings of hurt and betrayal as someone trusted acts against you.

He was my best friend, and then he went and stabbed me in the back by lying to everyone about me.
Metaphorical Use
It's never about actual stabbing; it's a metaphor for deceit and treachery.

I felt like she stabbed me in the back when she took credit for my idea at work.
Trust Element
The phrase often implies that trust existed before the betrayal took place.

After working together for years, his decision to stab me in the back was truly unexpected.
Betrayal Feelings
The phrase evokes deep feelings of hurt and betrayal as someone trusted acts against you.

He was my best friend, and then he went and stabbed me in the back by lying to everyone about me.
Metaphorical Use
It's never about actual stabbing; it's a metaphor for deceit and treachery.

I felt like she stabbed me in the back when she took credit for my idea at work.
Trust Element
The phrase often implies that trust existed before the betrayal took place.

After working together for years, his decision to stab me in the back was truly unexpected.
Betrayal Feelings
The phrase evokes deep feelings of hurt and betrayal as someone trusted acts against you.

He was my best friend, and then he went and stabbed me in the back by lying to everyone about me.
Metaphorical Use
It's never about actual stabbing; it's a metaphor for deceit and treachery.

I felt like she stabbed me in the back when she took credit for my idea at work.
Trust Element
The phrase often implies that trust existed before the betrayal took place.

After working together for years, his decision to stab me in the back was truly unexpected.
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