Betrayal means someone you trust has tricked or hurt you. It can happen between friends, family, or anyone close. When someone breaks your trust, it can feel confusing or painful. People have used different ways to describe this feeling for a long time. One way is through metaphors.
A metaphor helps explain something by comparing it to something else. For betrayal, people often use simple but strong images. These pictures in words help others understand the feeling better. In this article, we will look at some of the common metaphors people use to show what betrayal feels like.
Metaphors for Betrayal
1. A knife in the back
Meaning: Someone you trusted hurt you when you didn’t expect it.
Example Sentence:
- I thought Jason was my friend, but his lie felt like a knife in the back.
- When Lily told my secret, it was like a knife in the back.
Other ways to say: Backstabbed, Hurt by someone you trusted
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying comes from old stories where people were attacked from behind by someone close. It shows how betrayal can feel sneaky and painful.
Usage: Use this when someone surprises you by doing something unkind behind your back.
2. A wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: Someone who seems kind or harmless but is actually dangerous or dishonest.
Example Sentence:
- He acted friendly at first, but he turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
- That teacher’s helper was a wolf in sheep’s clothing—she took things from backpacks.
Other ways to say: Fake friend, Not who they seem
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from a story by Aesop. A wolf dressed like a sheep to trick others. It reminds us to be careful about who we trust.
Usage: Use this when someone pretends to be nice but has a bad plan.
3. A snake in the grass
Meaning: A person who pretends to be your friend but secretly works against you.
Example Sentence:
- I didn’t know she was talking about me behind my back. She was a snake in the grass.
- Max acted nice, but he was a snake in the grass the whole time.
Other ways to say: Two-faced, Sneaky person
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying comes from the idea of a snake hiding in tall grass, waiting to strike. It means someone is hiding their bad side.
Usage: Use this when someone is secretly doing something wrong while acting friendly.
4. Turning your back on someone
Meaning: Choosing to leave or ignore someone who needs you.
Example Sentence:
- When I needed help, she turned her back on me.
- He turned his back on his old friends after he made new ones.
Other ways to say: Left me out, Abandoned
Fun Fact/Origin: Turning your back means you stop facing someone. That’s why it means leaving or ignoring them, especially when they need support.
Usage: Use this when someone decides not to help or care anymore.
5. A broken bridge
Meaning: A ruined relationship or friendship caused by betrayal.
Example Sentence:
- After he lied, it felt like a broken bridge between us.
- Telling that secret broke the bridge between us.
Other ways to say: Ruined friendship, Lost trust
Fun Fact/Origin: A bridge connects two places. If it breaks, people can’t meet. In the same way, when trust is broken, people can’t feel close anymore.
Usage: Use this when something happens that makes it hard to stay friends.
6. A slap in the face
Meaning: A big surprise that feels rude or hurtful.
Example Sentence:
- After all I did to help him, being left out was a slap in the face.
- It felt like a slap in the face when she picked someone else.
Other ways to say: Big insult, Felt really hurt
Fun Fact/Origin: A slap in the face is a quick, painful action. This metaphor shows how betrayal can feel sudden and upsetting.
Usage: Use this when someone’s actions feel unfair or mean after you trust them.
7. Throwing someone under the bus
Meaning: Blaming someone else to protect yourself.
Example Sentence:
- He threw me under the bus when the teacher asked who made the mess.
- I didn’t expect her to throw me under the bus just to look good.
Other ways to say: Blamed unfairly, Let someone else take the fall
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase became popular in the 1980s. It paints a picture of pushing someone into harm to save yourself.
Usage: Use this when someone tries to escape blame by blaming a friend.
8. Stabbed in the back
Meaning: Hurt or betrayed by someone you trusted.
Example Sentence:
- I helped him study, but he told the teacher I cheated. I felt stabbed in the back.
- She smiled at me and then shared my secret. It was like being stabbed in the back.
Other ways to say: Betrayed, Hurt by a friend
Fun Fact/Origin: This is very similar to “a knife in the back” and comes from the same idea—being hurt by surprise.
Usage: Use this when a friend does something mean behind your back.
9. A double-cross
Meaning: Tricking someone who trusts you.
Example Sentence:
- We made a plan, but he double-crossed me and told the other team.
- I thought she was on my side, but it was a double-cross.
Other ways to say: Trick, Backstab
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “double” shows how someone breaks a promise while pretending to help.
Usage: Use this when someone acts like they’re helping but then cheats.
10. Cold shoulder
Meaning: Ignoring someone on purpose.
Example Sentence:
- After the fight, he gave me the cold shoulder all day.
- She gave me the cold shoulder at lunch.
Other ways to say: Ignored me, Left out
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from old times when people were served cold food to show they weren’t welcome.
Usage: Use this when someone is acting like they don’t care anymore.
11. A Judas kiss
Meaning: Pretending to be kind while betraying someone.
Example Sentence:
- His kind words were really a Judas kiss.
- She gave me a Judas kiss by helping me and then taking credit.
Other ways to say: Fake kindness, Betrayal in disguise
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from a Bible story where Judas kissed Jesus before betraying him.
Usage: Use this when someone uses fake kindness to hide what they are really doing.
12. Broken promise
Meaning: Saying you’ll do something and not doing it.
Example Sentence:
- He broke his promise to come to my game.
- She made a promise, then broke it right away.
Other ways to say: Let me down, Didn’t keep their word
Fun Fact/Origin: A promise is a strong word. When it’s broken, it feels like trust is broken too.
Usage: Use this when someone says they’ll do something, but they don’t.
13. Turning the tables
Meaning: Changing sides or going against someone after agreeing before.
Example Sentence:
- We planned it together, but he turned the tables on me.
- She turned the tables and helped the other team.
Other ways to say: Switched sides, Went against me
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from board games, where players would switch positions and change the game.
Usage: Use this when someone suddenly stops helping and works against you.
14. Broke my trust
Meaning: Did something to lose your trust.
Example Sentence:
- When she lied, she broke my trust.
- I don’t tell him things anymore. He broke my trust.
Other ways to say: Let me down, Can’t trust anymore
Fun Fact/Origin: Trust is like a strong bridge. Once broken, it’s hard to fix.
Usage: Use this when someone’s actions make it hard to believe them again.
15. Took the rug out from under me
Meaning: Surprised you in a bad way and made you feel unsure.
Example Sentence:
- He said he’d help, then left me. It felt like the rug was pulled out from under me.
- I thought we were a team, but she took the rug out from under me.
Other ways to say: Surprised and let down, Changed things suddenly
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like standing on a rug and someone pulls it fast—you fall and feel confused.
Usage: Use this when someone suddenly takes away support or trust.
16. A crack in the armor
Meaning: A small mistake or weakness that shows someone isn’t as loyal as they seemed.
Example Sentence:
- When she told my secret, it felt like a crack in the armor.
- He was always honest until now—this lie was a crack in the armor.
Other ways to say: First sign of betrayal, Small break in trust
Fun Fact/Origin: Armor protects a person, but one crack makes it weak. This shows how one small betrayal can hurt.
Usage: Use this when someone starts to show signs that they may not be trustworthy.
17. Selling someone out
Meaning: Giving away someone’s secret or hurting them for your own gain.
Example Sentence:
- He sold me out to win the game.
- She sold us out just to be friends with the popular kids.
Other ways to say: Told on me, Gave me up
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the idea of trading someone for a reward.
Usage: Use this when someone tells a secret or betrays you to help themselves.
18. Cut ties
Meaning: To end a relationship or friendship completely.
Example Sentence:
- After what he did, I had to cut ties.
- We were close, but I cut ties after the fight.
Other ways to say: Stopped being friends, Ended it
Fun Fact/Origin: Ties are like ropes that connect people. Cutting them means you’re not connected anymore.
Usage: Use this when someone ends a friendship for good.
19. Playing both sides
Meaning: Acting like you support two people but really helping only yourself.
Example Sentence:
- She played both sides, telling both groups different things.
- He played both sides, then denied everything.
Other ways to say: Can’t be trusted, Two-faced
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from games or sports where someone secretly helps both teams.
Usage: Use this when someone tricks two people by pretending to support them both.
20. Heartbreak
Meaning: Feeling very sad or hurt after betrayal.
Example Sentence:
- It was pure heartbreak when my best friend turned against me.
- I trusted him, so it felt like heartbreak.
Other ways to say: Really hurt, Broken heart
Fun Fact/Origin: The heart stands for feelings. When trust breaks, it feels like your heart is broken.
Usage: Use this when betrayal causes deep sadness.
21. Pulled the plug
Meaning: Stopped something suddenly, often without warning.
Example Sentence:
- We were ready, but she pulled the plug on the plan.
- He pulled the plug on our group work.
Other ways to say: Ended it suddenly, Stopped helping
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from turning off machines by pulling the plug.
Usage: Use this when someone ends a project or helps without warning.
22. Broke faith
Meaning: Lost trust or went against a promise.
Example Sentence:
- He broke faith when he didn’t keep his word.
- I can’t trust her. She broke faith.
Other ways to say: Didn’t keep a promise, Let me down
Fun Fact/Origin: This is an older way of saying someone lost trust by not doing what they said.
Usage: Use this when someone goes back on a promise.
23. Pulled the wool over my eyes
Meaning: Tricked or fooled me.
Example Sentence:
- I thought he was honest, but he pulled the wool over my eyes.
- She pulled the wool over my eyes and made me believe a lie.
Other ways to say: Tricked me, Fooled me
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from the idea of covering someone’s eyes so they can’t see the truth.
Usage: Use this when someone hides the truth from you.
24. Took a low blow
Meaning: Did something mean or unfair when you weren’t expecting it.
Example Sentence:
- Telling my secret was a low blow.
- That comment was a low blow, especially in front of everyone.
Other ways to say: Cheap shot, Unfair move
Fun Fact/Origin: A “low blow” in boxing means hitting where you shouldn’t. In life, it means being unfair.
Usage: Use this when someone does something wrong to hurt you.
25. Crossed the line
Meaning: Did something that went too far and caused harm.
Example Sentence:
- Saying that crossed the line.
- She crossed the line by laughing at me in class.
Other ways to say: Went too far, Wasn’t okay
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from the idea of rules being like a line you shouldn’t cross.
Usage: Use this when someone’s action was too hurtful to ignore.
26. Left me hanging
Meaning: Promised to help but didn’t follow through.
Example Sentence:
- He said he’d back me up, but he left me hanging.
- She left me hanging during the group presentation.
Other ways to say: Didn’t help, Didn’t show up
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagine hanging from something and no one pulls you up. That’s where it comes from.
Usage: Use this when someone said they’d help but didn’t.
27. A shadow of a friend
Meaning: A friend who isn’t really there for you anymore.
Example Sentence:
- She used to care, but now she’s just a shadow of a friend.
- I miss the old him—he’s like a shadow of a friend now.
Other ways to say: Not a real friend anymore, Changed friend
Fun Fact/Origin: A shadow is something that looks like the real thing but isn’t.
Usage: Use this when a friend changes and no longer supports you.
28. Closed the door
Meaning: Ended a friendship or connection completely.
Example Sentence:
- When he left the group, he closed the door on us.
- She closed the door when she ignored all my messages.
Other ways to say: Cut off contact, Stopped being friends
Fun Fact/Origin: A closed door means no one can come in or out.
Usage: Use this when someone ends a friendship for good.
29. Left in the dust
Meaning: Abandoned or left behind without care.
Example Sentence:
- He left me in the dust when he made new friends.
- I felt left in the dust when they didn’t invite me.
Other ways to say: Left behind, Forgotten
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from people or cars moving so fast they leave dust behind.
Usage: Use this when someone moves on and leaves you out.
30. The mask came off
Meaning: The person showed their real self, which wasn’t good.
Example Sentence:
- She acted sweet, but then the mask came off.
- I thought he was kind, but the mask came off.
Other ways to say: Showed true colors, No longer pretending
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from plays where actors wear masks. When the mask is gone, you see who they really are.
Usage: Use this when someone stops pretending and shows their true self.
Quiz: Metaphors for Betrayal
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each metaphor. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the metaphors to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “stabbed in the back” most likely mean?
A. Someone gave you a back massage
B. Someone surprised you in a nice way
C. Someone you trusted hurt you secretly
2. If your friend “threw you under the bus,” what happened?
A. They helped you with a problem
B. They blamed you to stay out of trouble
C. They invited you to a party
3. What does it mean when someone “pulls the rug out from under you”?
A. They helped clean your room
B. They took away your support or plan suddenly
C. They gave you a new rug
4. If someone gives you the “cold shoulder,” how are they acting?
A. They are ignoring you
B. They are offering you a blanket
C. They are giving you a cold drink
5. When a person “plays both sides,” what are they doing?
A. Watching both teams play
B. Pretending to help two people but really helping themselves
C. Playing a game with two players
6. What does it mean to “break someone’s trust”?
A. You forgot their birthday
B. You lost a toy they let you borrow
C. You did something that made them stop believing in you
7. If someone “sells you out,” what did they do?
A. Bought you something nice
B. Told your secret to someone else
C. Let you keep their stuff
8. What does “a slap in the face” mean in a betrayal situation?
A. A sudden insult or unfair act
B. Someone clapped for you
C. You got hit during a game
9. If a person “takes a low blow,” what did they do?
A. Played dodgeball
B. Did something unfair to hurt you
C. Gave you a low five
10. What does it mean if “the mask came off”?
A. The person was wearing a costume
B. The person showed who they really are, and it wasn’t nice
C. The person went to a party
Answer Key
- C – Someone you trusted hurt you secretly
- B – They blamed you to stay out of trouble
- B – They took away your support or plan suddenly
- A – They are ignoring you
- B – Pretending to help two people but really helping themselves
- C – You did something that made them stop believing in you
- B – Told your secret to someone else
- A – A sudden insult or unfair act
- B – Did something unfair to hurt you
- B – The person showed who they really are, and it wasn’t nice
Wrapping Up
Betrayal can hurt, especially when it comes from someone you trusted. Metaphors help us talk about those feelings in ways that make sense. They can show how deep the pain is or how trust was broken.
Learning these phrases can help you understand books, movies, and even real-life situations better. The next time you hear someone say they felt “stabbed in the back,” you’ll know what they mean.
Understanding these metaphors helps you explain emotions clearly. It also helps you notice when something doesn’t feel right in a friendship. Keep these in mind—they might come in handy.
