💋 Kiss of Death, A/The
“Kiss of death, a/the” - A destructive or fatal relationship or action, undertaken with seemingly good intentions. The term harks back to biblical times, referring to the betrayal of Jesus by his disciple, Judas Iscariot, who identified Jesus to his enemies with a kiss (Matthew 26:47–49). Although associated with the term “Judas kiss” from the sixteenth century, “kiss of death” only gained its current flavor around 1940. Importantly, this phrase need not signify outright treason or disloyalty. For instance, imagine publishing your dazzlingly beautiful gift book just a week too late to catch the Christmas rush—it might well be said to have received the kiss of death: unfortunate timing leading to drastically fewer sales.
Related Expressions 🤝
- Judas kiss: A seemingly affectionate gesture loaded with treachery or betrayal.
- Stab in the back: Another classic sign of betrayal, where the harm comes unexpectedly from a trusted ally.
- Achilles’ heel: An otherwise powerful person or entity’s one fatal vulnerability.
Synonyms and Antonyms 🔄
Synonyms 👬:
- Betrayal
- Treachery
- Pitfall
- Snag
Antonyms 🙅♂️:
- Boon
- Blessing
- Advantage
- Benefit
Humor-Filled Quotes 💬
“Inviting your ex to your wedding? That’s the kiss of death to a perfectly peaceful day.” — Anonymous Nuptial Nightmare Narrator
“Giving kids the Wi-Fi password right before bed is truly the kiss of death for any hopes of an early night.” — Parenting Parlance Pro
Suggestive Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, & Movies 📚🎥
Literature/Books:
- “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini (Betrayal and Redemption)
- “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare (Political Treachery)
Songs:
- “Judas” by Lady Gaga (Yup, you guessed it: stunning betrayal!)
Movies:
- “The Godfather” trilogy (Betrayal in its most high-stakes form)
Poetry:
- “Et tu, Brute?” from William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” (A stabby betrayal in verse form)
Inspirational Thought 🌟
“Trust is like a paper; once crumpled, it can never be perfect again. Yet, from lessons in betrayal, we learn the art of discerning true loyalty.” — Eloise E. Entendre
