Meaning: This idiom is used to describe the act of betraying or harming someone, often by deceiving or undermining them, especially when they trust or rely on the person who commits the betrayal. It implies a deliberate and treacherous act of disloyalty or betrayal, typically done covertly or behind the person’s back.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “I can’t believe he stabbed me in the back by spreading rumors about me.”
- “She thought they were friends, but they stabbed her in the back by stealing her idea.”
- “He felt betrayed when he discovered that his colleague had been stabbing him in the back by badmouthing him to the boss.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “stab someone in the back” is literal, referring to the treacherous act of physically attacking someone from behind. Over time, the phrase evolved into a metaphorical expression used to describe acts of betrayal or disloyalty. It emphasizes the deceitful and cowardly nature of the betrayal, where the perpetrator deliberately undermines or harms someone who trusts them. The idiom has been in use since at least the 19th century.