Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To turn one's weapons against: To use the weapons, skills, or knowledge provided by a master, mentor, or ally against them. It implies a deep betrayal by a student or subordinate.
   • To turn against one's teacher/mentor: To betray the person who taught or guided you, often by using their own teachings against them or by joining their opponents.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Học trò phản bội, quay giáo chống lại thầy mình. (The student betrayed, turning his weapons against his own master.)
  • Hắn được đào tạo bài bản rồi lại quay giáo với công ty cũ. (He was thoroughly trained and then turned against his old company.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in contexts of martial arts, discipleship, or professional training to describe an ultimate act of treachery. It carries a strong moral judgment, emphasizing the ingratitude and dishonor of the action.

Variants and Related Words

• Phản bội (v): to betray.

  • Không ai ngờ anh ta lại phản bội tổ chức. (No one expected him to betray the organization.)

• Chống lại (v): to oppose, to fight against.

  • Họ đã dám chống lại kẻ bạo chúa. (They dared to oppose the tyrant.)

Synonyms

• Betray one's mentor: To be disloyal to one's teacher.
• Turn against one's master: To become an opponent of one's former guide.
• Bite the hand that feeds you: (Idiomatic) To harm someone who has helped you.

Related Idioms

• Ăn cháo đá bát: (Literally: To eat the porridge and kick the bowl) To be ungrateful and turn against a benefactor.

  • Hành động của hắn đúng là ăn cháo đá bát. (His actions are truly those of kicking the bowl after eating the porridge.)

• Vong ân bội nghĩa: To be ungrateful and act against righteousness.

  • Kẻ vong ân bội nghĩa ấy cuối cùng cũng bị trừng phạt. (That ungrateful traitor was finally punished.)

1. Turn one's arms against