B2idiominformalpeopleIELTS-friendly
stab someone in the back
USUK
to harm someone who trusts you, usually secretly
The same image as Vietnamese 'đâm sau lưng'. The noun is 'a stab in the back', and a person who does it is 'a backstabber'.
In context
I thought he was my friend, but he stabbed me in the back to get the promotion.
She would never stab a colleague in the back, even under pressure.
More idioms about people
- a chip off the old blocka child who is very like one of their parents in character or skills
- a cold fishsomeone who seems unfriendly and does not show feelings
- a drama queensomeone who reacts to small problems as if they were very serious
- a fair-weather friendsomeone who is your friend only when things are going well for you
- a friend in need is a friend indeeda person who helps you when you are in trouble is a true friend