📖 Meaning
To turn one's weapon against one's own side. It describes a situation where someone betrays their own allies and attacks them instead, often switching sides to aid the enemy. The idiom conveys betrayal and treachery from within.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Battle of Muye (1046 BC), recorded in the Book of Documents (尚书·武成). When King Wu of Zhou attacked the Shang dynasty, the Shang king Zhou had dispatched a large army to resist. However, the front ranks of the Shang army, resenting their tyrant king, turned their weapons around and attacked their own rear lines, causing the Shang forces to collapse. The classical text states: 'The vanguard turned their spears and attacked the rear, leading to defeat.' Over time, the phrase came to symbolize turning against one's own side.
💡 Example Usage
他竟然反戈相向，帮助竞争对手来对付自己的公司。
He actually turned his weapon against his own side, helping a competitor to undermine his own company.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 反戈相向
- Pinyin: fǎn gē xiāng xiàng
- Literal Translation: turn, spear, mutually, against
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4