
IdiomDaily Life
French
Un baiser de Judas
Meaning: A show of affection that conceals a betrayal.
Literally: A kiss of Judas
Example: “Ses félicitations publiques n'étaient qu'un baiser de Judas.” — His public congratulations were nothing but a Judas kiss.
English equivalent: A Judas kiss
Equivalents in other languages
English: a Judas kiss
Origin: From the Gospels, where Judas identifies Jesus to the soldiers by greeting him with a kiss. The image endures because the sign of friendship is itself the instrument of the betrayal.
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- Chercher la petite bête To nitpick; to hunt for a trivial fault.
- Passer sur le billard To undergo surgery.
- Se faire blackbouler To be rejected, voted down or heavily defeated in an election.
- Une arme blanche A bladed weapon, as opposed to a firearm.
- Blanchir de l'argent To launder money.
- Au petit bonheur la chance Haphazardly, leaving the outcome entirely to chance.
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