ENGLISH
REFERENCE

betray with a kiss

idiom
Meaning

To betray someone in a seemingly inconspicuous or innocuous manner.


Origin

disputed origin

The term comes from the Gospel of Luke chapter 22, verse 48 of the New Testament: ⁴⁷ While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. ⁴⁸ But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” The Gospel of Luke, Berean Standard Bible.

Examples
SIMPLE

He smiled and betrayed her with a kiss.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician shook his rival's hand and offered a friendly smile, only to betray him with a kiss by leaking his private emails.

COMPLEX

The advisor offered words of comfort and a warm embrace, yet he ultimately betrayed his king with a kiss by orchestrating the palace coup.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    blow a kiss

    To kiss one's own hand, then blow on it in a direction towards the recipient.

  2. 02

    kiss and cry

    The publicly viewable enclosure in which figure skaters sit immediately after a performance, while they await and receive the judging results.

  3. 03

    kiss and make up

    To settle one's differences and forgive.

  4. 04

    kiss and tell

    To betray a confidence by disclosing private information, especially of a sexual nature.

  5. 05

    kiss arse

    Alternative form of kiss ass, to curry favour with the powerful by obsequious flattery.

  6. 06

    kiss ass

    to flatter or perform favors excessively, especially to receive preferential treatment from a boss or other superior; to behave obsequiously.

  7. 07

    kiss my ass

    Go away!; an expression of disdain or dismissal.

  8. 08

    kiss of death

    Something that may seem good and favorable but that actually brings ruin to hopes, plans, etc.

© 2026 English Reference