knife in back
Friend becomes foe
A knife in the back is a betrayal, especially one that comes from someone trusted.
The image is of an attacker striking from behind while the victim faces forward unsuspecting.
Often used with verbs of placement: She put a knife in his back by leaking the memo.
The related adjective is backstabbing.
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- double crossTreacherous act of betrayal
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- et tu BruteLatin accusation of betrayal
- stabPierce with point
wound · blood · dagger · blade · cloak and dagger · trust · deception · kiss of death · murder · spine · sharp · pain · Judas · traitor · false friend · snake in grass · ambush · under cover
- dirty tacticsdirty trick, dirty tricks, dirty pool, foul play, cheap shot
- suffering metaphorsdrowning, bottomless pit, chains, cage, trapped
knife in backloyalty
Faithful commitment to another
faithfulness · having someone's back · allegiance · steadfastness · devotion
knife in backfrontal assault
Attack from the front
direct attack · declared war · straight shooter · cards on the table · straight shooting
knife in backpat on the back
Gesture showing approval
standing up for · helping hand · leg up · backing up · coming through
knife, back, knives, knifed, knifing, backs, backed, backing, backer