stab in the back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stab in the back" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to describe a betrayal or act of deception in which someone has wronged someone else without their knowledge. It can be used in a literal or figurative sense. For example, "He felt as though his boss had stabbed him in the back by giving the promotion to someone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"We got a stab in the back".

The New York Times

What a stab in the back!

The New York Times - Books

They stab in the back of the leg.

The New York Times - Sports

Our heroes deserve a standing ovation, not a stab in the back.

The Washington Post

Instead, after the war, Nazi "stab in the back" myths blamed Jewish treachery for Germany's defeat.

The New York Times

Putin denounced the Turkish action as a "treacherous stab in the back".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The most notorious example is the "stab-in-the-back" myth, widely believed in Germany after 1918.

The New Yorker

A second referendum would "cause lasting resentment and would fuel populist parties peddling the stab-in-the-back theory," wrote the Economist last week.

The Washington Post

The extreme effects of the Treaty on Germany led to the Dolchstosslegende (stab-in-the-back legend) which worked in favor of the Nazi Party.

Britannica

A stab-in-the-back narrative is gaining traction.

BBC

See Stab-in-the-back legend.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase is particularly effective in political or organizational contexts to describe shifts in loyalty or broken promises.

Common error

Avoid using "stab in the back" when you actually mean "stab in the dark". While the former refers to a malicious betrayal, the latter refers to making a random guess without any information.

Linguistic Context

Primarily used as an idiomatic noun phrase or a verb phrase (stabbing someone in the back). In many instances found in Ludwig, it acts as a metaphor for a treacherous act that occurs when the victim is vulnerable or unaware. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical status in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stab in the back" is a robust and evocative idiom that remains a staple of modern English, particularly within political and historical narratives. Ludwig AI and various high-authority examples demonstrate its prevalence in reporting dramatic betrayals, such as Vladimir Putin's descriptions of international incidents or internal political maneuvers. While it can be used literally in crime reporting, its primary power lies in its figurative ability to denote a breach of trust by an ally. Writers should be mindful of its intensity and ensure they are not confusing it with similar-sounding but semantically different phrases like "stab in the dark".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knife in the back

A nearly identical idiomatic synonym used interchangeably in most contexts.

backstabbing

Converts the phrase into a single gerund or noun, often used to describe a general habit rather than a single event.

treacherous blow

Adds a more dramatic and descriptive tone to the act of betrayal.

betrayal of trust

A more literal and formal way to describe the same sentiment without the physical metaphor.

double-cross

Specifically refers to a situation where someone deceives a person they are already conspiring with.

breach of faith

A highly formal and sometimes legalistic alternative.

sell-out

Often implies betraying one's principles or group for personal gain.

act of perfidy

A literary and sophisticated term for deliberate untrustworthiness.

underhanded move

Describes the nature of the action as sneaky or dishonest rather than just a betrayal.

treachery

The abstract noun form focusing on the quality of being deceptive.

FAQs

How to use "stab in the back" in a sentence?

You can use it figuratively to describe a surprise betrayal, such as: "The employee felt like it was a "stab in the back" when his colleague took credit for his project."

What can I say instead of "stab in the back"?

Depending on the register, you can use alternatives like "betrayal", "knife in the back", or "double-cross".

Is "stab in the back" a formal idiom?

It is considered neutral to informal. While frequently found in serious news outlets like "The New York Times", it is often used in quotes or to describe emotional political reactions.

What is the difference between "stab in the back" and "backstabbing"?

A "stab in the back" usually refers to a single, specific event of betrayal, whereas "backstabbing" often refers to a recurring behavior or a toxic character trait.