stab in the back

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stab in the back (plural stabs in the back)

1. An act of betrayal or treachery

stab in the back (third-person singular simple present stabs in the back, present participle stabbing in the back, simple past and past participle stabbed in the back)

1. (idiomatic) To betray (somebody).
   • 2021 February 10, Richard Clinnick, “Network News: Fears of pay freeze prompt union strike threat”, in RAIL, number 924, page 24:

     Speaking on February 1, Cash said: "Today, transport workers who are risking their lives keeping our country moving have found out they have been stabbed in the back by the Government, who have extended the public sector pay freeze to the transport sector [...].