stabbed in the back
Sold out secretly
Stabbed in the back describes being betrayed by someone trusted—a friend, ally, or colleague who attacks when you're vulnerable or not looking: I can't believe she stabbed me in the back after I recommended her for the job.
The image is of treacherous assault from behind, where you can't defend yourself.
The phrase often appears as the noun backstab or backstabbing.
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- perfidyDeliberate breach of trust
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- traitorousnessBetraying one's allegiance
- betrayalBreaking of trust
et tu Brute · pain · disloyalty · deceit · sneak attack · turncoat · treason · sold out · Brutus · Judas · double-crossing · duplicity · false friend · friendship · camaraderie · infidelity · cheated · thrown under the bus
stabbed in the backstood by
Supported or awaited
kept faith · defended · supported · backed up · protected
stabbed in the backchampioned
Actively supported a cause
backed up · vouched for · boosted · lifted up · built up
stab, stabbed, stabbing, stabber, back, backed, backing, backer, backside