Meaning
To harm or criticize someone who helps you.
Primary Function
Accusing ingratitude
Communicative Purpose
To warn against betraying one’s benefactor.
Pattern
bite the hand that feeds you
Core Structure
bite the hand that feeds you
Função primária
Accusing ingratitude
Propósito comunicativo
To warn against betraying one’s benefactor.
Situações de gatilho
Employee criticizes employer, insider turns against supporter, ally undermines benefactor.
Contextos
Workplace, family dynamics, political alliances.
Padrão
bite the hand that feeds you
Estrutura central
bite the hand that feeds you
Slots de substituição
none
Colocados típicos
- don’t
- wouldn’t
- be careful not to
Substituições comuns
- shoot oneself in the foot
Erros comuns
Bite the hand which feeds you
Similar / contraste
kill the goose that lays the golden eggs
Interferências
Not about dogs.
Família do chunk
- Ingratitude idioms
Nuance
Accusatory and disapproving; implies foolish disloyalty.
Efeito pragmático
Conveys strong disapproval of ungrateful behavior.
Dica de memória
Bite the hand that feeds you
Nota
This idiom is often used to warn against ingratitude and the consequences of betraying those who support you.
Upgrade path
undermine one’s own benefactor (formal)
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