What does “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” mean?
"With friends like that, who needs enemies?" means that having friends who behave badly or betray you is just as bad as having enemies.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I can't believe she spread that rumor about me. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
Example
He borrowed money from me and never paid it back. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
Example
She always talks behind my back. With friends like that, who needs enemies
Is “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“With friends like that, who needs enemies?” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” effectively in context?
You can use "With friends like that, who needs enemies?" to express disappointment or frustration with someone who is supposed to be a friend but behaves badly or betrays you. It emphasizes the idea that having friends who mistreat you can be just as harmful as having enemies. For example, if a friend spreads a rumor about you, you might say, 'I can't believe she spread that rumor about me. With friends like that, who needs enemies?'
- 1Betrayal
He borrowed money from me and never paid it back. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
- 2Gossip
She always talks behind my back. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
- 3Disloyalty
I thought she had my back, but she betrayed me. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
Similar phrases to “With friends like that, who needs enemies?”:
Fair-weather friend
A person who is only a friend during good times and abandons you during difficult times
Example
She was there when everything was going well, but she disappeared when I needed her. She's just a fair-weather friend.
A person who pretends to be a friend but secretly betrays or undermines you
Example
I trusted him with my secrets, but he turned out to be a backstabber.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” come from?
The origin of the phrase "With friends like that, who needs enemies?" is unknown.
Is “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "With friends like that, who needs enemies?" is a common expression in everyday conversation. People often use it to express their disappointment or frustration with friends who behave badly or betray them.
What tone does “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” have?
"With friends like that, who needs enemies?" conveys a tone of sarcasm and resignation. It implies a sense of disbelief and highlights the irony of having friends who mistreat you.
Can “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” be used in informal and formal settings?
This expression is more commonly used in informal settings, such as casual conversations with friends or family. It may not be appropriate for formal situations or professional settings.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as a standalone phrase to convey its full meaning. For example, if someone tells you about a friend's betrayal, you can simply respond with 'With friends like that, who needs enemies?'
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- unreliable friends
- false friends
- traitorous friends
- disloyal friends
- two-faced friends
Antonyms
- true friends
- loyal friends
- supportive friends
- trustworthy friends
