Explaining "False friends are worse than open enemies"

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 04/11/2024, 07:53

English.me team member

What does it mean?

False friends are worse than open enemies

The phrase means that people who pretend to be your friends but secretly wish you harm or act against your interests are more dangerous than those who admit to being your enemies.

Tone

Cautionary

Origin

The phrase has its roots in proverbial wisdom and has been expressed in various forms throughout history. It emphasizes the dangers of deceit and the value of honest relationships.

Examples of usage

After the betrayal, Sarah realized that false friends are worse than open enemies.
Thinking of her colleague's sabotage, it hit her that false friends are indeed worse than open enemies.
In his speech, he warned against insincere alliances, stating, "False friends are worse than open enemies."