stab in the back
The idiom "stab in the back" conveys betrayal by someone trusted, often evoking imagery of unexpected treachery.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)A betrayal or treacherous act committed by someone trusted.
Example
- He felt like it was a stab in the back when his best friend revealed his secret.
C1Historical
(historical)A conspiracy theory from post-World War I Germany blaming internal groups for the country's defeat.
Example
- The 'stab-in-the-back' myth was used to explain Germany's loss in World War I.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "stab in the back":
stab-in-the-back mythcheap shotslap in the faceon someone's back