betray with a kiss
To betray someone in a seemingly inconspicuous or innocuous manner.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He smiled and betrayed her with a kiss.”
“The politician shook his rival's hand and offered a friendly smile, only to betray him with a kiss by leaking his private emails.”
“The manager praised my hard work during the meeting, but she betrayed me with a kiss by secretly recommending my colleague for the promotion instead.”
“The advisor offered words of comfort and a warm embrace, yet he ultimately betrayed his king with a kiss by orchestrating the palace coup.”
From the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, in the New Testament. The phrase originates in verse 47 and 48, which record a crowd led by Judas, one of the Twelve. Judas approached Jesus to kiss Him, an act of greeting that served as a signal for arrest.
In the Berean Standard Bible, the account notes that While He was still speaking, the betrayal occurred. Jesus asked the man, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" The question highlights the use of a gesture of affection to facilitate a capture, marking the transition of the kiss from a social formality to a tactical instrument.
- 01
blow a kiss
To kiss one's own hand, then blow on it in a direction towards the recipient.
- 02
hugs and kisses
An informal way to end a letter, email etc. to a loved one.
- 03
kiss and cry
The publicly viewable enclosure in which figure skaters sit immediately after a performance, while they await and receive the judging results.
- 04
kiss and make up
To settle one's differences and forgive.
- 05
kiss and tell
To betray a confidence by disclosing private information, especially of a sexual nature.
- 06
kiss arse
Alternative form of kiss ass, to curry favour with the powerful by obsequious flattery.
- 07
kiss ass
to flatter or perform favors excessively, especially to receive preferential treatment from a boss or other superior; to behave obsequiously.
- 08
kiss my ass
Go away!; an expression of disdain or dismissal.
Last updated August 10, 2026