backstab
English edit
Etymology edit
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
backstab (third-person singular simple present backstabs, present participle backstabbing, simple past and past participle backstabbed)
- (transitive) To attack someone (especially verbally) unfairly in a deceitful, underhand, or treacherous manner, especially when they're not present in the place or situation that it happens.
- Synonym: stab in the back
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
to attack someone (especially verbally) unfairly
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Noun edit
backstab (plural backstabs)
- An act of backstabbing.
- Synonym: stab in the back
- 2016, Mauro Paulino, Forensic Psychology of Spousal Violence, London: Academic Press, →ISBN, page 160:
- After this conversation I was shocked; he asked me to leave the car so he would stay with her alone. Everything fell on me, I felt my body heavy and my heart beating very fast. It was such a backstab that it still hurts today.