PhrasesHub

Stab someone in the back

    Definitions

      • betray someone
        To betray or deceive someone, often by secretly doing something to harm them

      • backstabbing
        To engage in deceitful or treacherous behavior, especially against someone who trusts you

    Examples of Stab someone in the back

    • John had always been there for her, but suddenly he betrayed her behind her back. She couldn't believe he had stabbed her in the back.

      This idiom is used when someone does something confidential or dishonorable to harm a person's reputation, credibility, or trust. Here, John's actions of betrayal were kept hidden from the victim's knowledge, similar to the act of actually stabbing someone in the back.

    • When her rival spread malicious rumors about her at work, Sarah felt like she had been stabbed in the back. It was a sneaky and vicious attack on her professional integrity.

      In this context, the idiom emphasizes the suddenness and secretive nature of the attack. When someone stabs you in the back, you usually don't see it coming or expect it. Similarly, when Sarah was stabbed in the back, she was caught off guard by the devious tactics of her opponent.

    • After years of hard work, Angela's team came one step closer to their goal, only to be betrayed by a member who stabbed them in the back. It was an unexpected blow, and Angela was left wondering who she could trust.

      This example demonstrates the idiom's use in a group situation. When a trusted team member betrays the rest of the group, it can be like being stabbed in the back by someone who is supposed to have your back. It can cause a significant impact on the entire group's morale and trust.

    • The CEO's decision to terminate Mark's employment came out of nowhere, leaving his colleagues feeling like they had been stabbed in the back. They couldn't believe he had been let go without any explanation or warning.

      Here, the idiom is used to show the unexpected and unjust nature of the action. When someone is stabbed in the back, it often results in feelings of betrayal and shock, and Mark's colleagues were no exception. This example demonstrates how the idiom can convey the unexpected and negative impact that a betrayal can have on individuals and groups.

    • The CEO's trusted employee, Jane, turned out to be a sneaky backstabber. She presented a plan to the board that looked promising at first, but it soon became clear that it was designed to sabotage another colleague's recent success. In essence, she had "stabbed him in the back" by undermining his work and presenting a fraudulent proposal that ultimately failed.

      The idiom "stab someone in the back" refers to a sudden betrayal or act of disloyalty by someone who was previously trusted. In this context, Jane's betrayal was particularly significant because she had betrayed the trust of her CEO and undermined a colleague's work. The phrase "stabbed him in the back" implies that the betrayal was unexpected, sudden, and often involves someone taking advantage of another person's vulnerability or weakness. It suggests that the person who has been "stabbed in the back" is blindsided, caught off guard, and left feeling betrayed and disillusioned. The phrase is often used in a figurative sense to describe a range of actions that are perceived as disloyal, unfair, and untrustworthy.

    • John worked tirelessly to secure the promotion, but at the last minute, his coworker Sarah spread a malicious rumor about him to their boss, effectively stabbing him in the back.

      The idiom "stab someone in the back" is used to express the idea of betraying someone in a way that is unexpected and underhanded. The literal meaning of the phrase is to attack someone by stabbing them in the back when they are unaware, which can be a violent and treacherous act. However, in this idiomatic sense, it is used to describe a more subtle form of betrayal, such as spreading false information or gossip. In the example provided, Sarah's actions constitute a metaphorical stab in the back for John, as she undermined his efforts to rise within the company by spreading vicious rumors behind his back.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "stab someone in the back" is used to describe the act of betraying or deceiving someone, often by secretly doing something to harm them. It can also refer to engaging in deceitful or treacherous behavior, especially against someone who trusts you.

    People use this idiom to convey a sense of betrayal and dishonesty, often when someone they trusted has acted in a deceitful or treacherous manner. It can also be used to caution against trusting someone who may be inclined to betray or deceive.

    Overall, "stab someone in the back" is a vivid and powerful idiom that conveys a sense of betrayal and treachery.

    Origin of "Stab someone in the back"

    The origin of the idiom "stab someone in the back" can be traced back to ancient times when physical betrayal was often a matter of life and death. The act of stabbing someone in the back was seen as a particularly cowardly and treacherous way of attacking an enemy, as it was done from a position of stealth and without warning.

    Over time, the idiom has evolved to represent not just physical betrayal, but also emotional and psychological betrayal. It is often used to describe a situation where someone has been deceitful or treacherous, causing harm to someone who trusted them.

    This vivid and dramatic idiom has persisted through the centuries and continues to be used today to convey a sense of betrayal and deceit. Its origins in physical betrayal give it a powerful and evocative meaning that resonates with people.