stab someone in the back

Meaning

This expression means to betray someone who trusts you, often by doing something harmful behind their back. It is used in personal, professional, or social contexts when a friend or ally secretly acts against you.

Examples

• I thought we were close friends, but she stabbed me in the back by telling everyone my secret.

  I thought we were close friends, but she stabbed me in the back by telling everyone my secret.

• He stabbed his business partner in the back to take full control of the company.

  He stabbed his business partner in the back to take full control of the company.

• I don't want to work with him because I'm afraid he'll stab me in the back.

  I don't want to work with him because I'm afraid he'll stab me in the back.

• She felt completely betrayed when she realized her own brother had stabbed her in the back.

  She felt completely betrayed when she realized her own brother had stabbed her in the back.

• In politics, allies will often stab you in the back the moment it benefits them.

  In politics, allies will often stab you in the back the moment it benefits them.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He stabbed my back.

  ✓ He stabbed me in the back.

  The correct structure is 'stab [someone] in the back', not 'stab [someone's] back'.

• ✗ I was stabbed at the back by my colleague.

  ✓ I was stabbed in the back by my colleague.

  The preposition must be 'in', not 'at'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I can't believe she would ___ after all the help I gave her.

  💡 Betray me secretly.

  Show answer

  stab me in the back

• He is known to ___ his colleagues to get a promotion.

  💡 Betray his co-workers.

  Show answer

  stab his colleagues in the back