Sometimes, people may act like friends but don’t really care about you. They might talk behind your back, use you to get something they want, or stop being nice when things don’t go their way. These people are called “fake friends.” It’s important to notice when someone isn’t being honest or kind. Idioms can help us understand this better.
Idioms are short phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. They often give advice or describe something in a fun way. In this article, we will learn idioms that people use to talk about fake friends. These sayings can help you talk about tricky friendships in a way that is easy to understand.
Idioms about Fake Friends
1. Two-faced
Meaning: Someone who says nice things but acts mean behind your back.
Sample Sentences: She was two-faced for smiling at me and then laughing at me later. / He acts friendly, but he’s really two-faced.
Other Way to Say: Fake / Not honest
2. Wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: Someone who looks kind but is really mean.
Sample Sentences: I thought he was nice, but he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. / She acted sweet, but she was hiding her true self.
Other Way to Say: Pretending to be good / Hiding bad side
3. Talk behind your back
Meaning: Say bad things about someone when they aren’t there.
Sample Sentences: She talked behind my back after I shared my secret. / He smiled at me but talked behind my back at lunch.
Other Way to Say: Gossip / Say mean things secretly
4. Fair-weather friend
Meaning: A friend who is only around when things are easy or fun.
Sample Sentences: He’s a fair-weather friend who leaves when I’m sad. / She only plays with me when I win.
Other Way to Say: Only-there-for-good-times / Not true friend
5. Throw you under the bus
Meaning: Blame you to stay out of trouble.
Sample Sentences: He threw me under the bus to make the teacher not punish him. / She blamed me to save herself.
Other Way to Say: Blame someone else / Make you look bad
6. Snake in the grass
Meaning: A person who pretends to be your friend but is not.
Sample Sentences: Be careful he’s a snake in the grass. / She’s sneaky, like a snake hiding in the grass.
Other Way to Say: Tricky person / Secret enemy
7. Talk out of both sides of your mouth
Meaning: Say one thing to you and something different to others.
Sample Sentences: He talks out of both sides of his mouth he lies a lot. / She says nice things, but then says the opposite to others.
Other Way to Say: Say one thing, mean another / Not truthful
8. Stab you in the back
Meaning: Betray you or hurt you when you trusted them.
Sample Sentences: She stabbed me in the back by telling my secret. / I trusted him, and he turned on me.
Other Way to Say: Betray / Hurt you secretly
9. Fake it
Meaning: Pretend to care when they don’t.
Sample Sentences: He faked it during our friendship. / She fakes being kind but laughs behind your back.
Other Way to Say: Pretend / Not real
10. Smile to your face, lie behind your back
Meaning: Act nice, then lie or say bad things when you’re not around.
Sample Sentences: She smiles at me but lies behind my back. / That kind of friend is not real.
Other Way to Say: Pretend to be kind / Say bad things later
11. Just along for the ride
Meaning: Only there for fun, not for true friendship.
Sample Sentences: He’s just along for the ride he doesn’t care when I’m sad. / She comes around when it’s fun, not when I need her.
Other Way to Say: Not really your friend / Only there for fun
12. Butter you up
Meaning: Say nice things to get something from you.
Sample Sentences: She buttered me up just to copy my homework. / He only said that to get help on the project.
Other Way to Say: Sweet talk / Try to trick
13. All talk, no action
Meaning: Says they’ll help but never does.
Sample Sentences: He said he’d stand up for me, but he’s all talk. / She never helps, just talks big.
Other Way to Say: Empty words / Doesn’t keep promise
14. Leave you high and dry
Meaning: Leave you alone when you need help.
Sample Sentences: When I was in trouble, he left me high and dry. / She promised to help, then didn’t show up.
Other Way to Say: Left behind / Didn’t help
15. Play both sides
Meaning: Pretend to be friends with two people who don’t get along.
Sample Sentences: She played both sides during our argument. / He tries to be on both teams.
Other Way to Say: Can’t be trusted / Not loyal
16. Use you
Meaning: Be friends only to get something.
Sample Sentences: He used me to get a better grade. / She only calls me when she wants help.
Other Way to Say: Take advantage / Not real friend
17. Sweet on the surface
Meaning: Looks nice, but really isn’t.
Sample Sentences: He’s sweet on the surface but mean inside. / She acts kind, but it’s just an act.
Other Way to Say: Fake nice / Not true
18. Cold shoulder
Meaning: Ignore you on purpose.
Sample Sentences: She gave me the cold shoulder after I made a mistake. / He just acted like I wasn’t there.
Other Way to Say: Ignore / Act distant
19. Blow hot and cold
Meaning: Be friendly one minute, mean the next.
Sample Sentences: He blows hot and cold, so I don’t know where we stand. / She’s nice on Monday, mean on Tuesday.
Other Way to Say: Changes mood fast / Not steady
20. Only when it’s easy
Meaning: Only your friend when things go well.
Sample Sentences: He’s around only when it’s easy. / She disappears when I need real help.
Other Way to Say: Good-time friend / Not dependable
21. Behind closed doors
Meaning: Says or does bad things secretly.
Sample Sentences: She acts nice, but behind closed doors, she makes fun of me. / He told secrets about me when I wasn’t there.
Other Way to Say: In secret / When no one sees
22. Bad apple
Meaning: A person who brings bad behavior or trouble.
Sample Sentences: He’s the bad apple in our group. / One bad apple can ruin the fun for all.
Other Way to Say: Troublemaker / Not good
23. Just for show
Meaning: Pretend friendship to look good.
Sample Sentences: She only talks to me when teachers are watching. / It’s just for show, not real.
Other Way to Say: Pretending / Acting fake
24. Empty friend
Meaning: No care or support in the friendship.
Sample Sentences: He’s an empty friend he never listens. / I don’t feel close to her at all.
Other Way to Say: Doesn’t care / Not really there
25. Fame friend
Meaning: Wants to be around you only if you’re popular.
Sample Sentences: She was my friend when I made the team. / Now that I’m not, she’s gone.
Other Way to Say: Status friend / Likes popularity
26. Flip-flop friend
Meaning: Changes sides often.
Sample Sentences: He’s a flip-flop friend one day with me, next day not. / She can’t choose a side.
Other Way to Say: Can’t be trusted / Keeps changing
27. Just tagging along
Meaning: Follows the group but not really involved.
Sample Sentences: She tags along but never really talks. / He just shows up, not really a friend.
Other Way to Say: Not included / On the side
28. Can’t count on
Meaning: Doesn’t keep promises or help.
Sample Sentences: I can’t count on him to be there. / She always cancels our plans.
Other Way to Say: Unreliable / Won’t show up
29. All about themselves
Meaning: Only cares about their own wants.
Sample Sentences: She never asks how I feel. / It’s always about him.
Other Way to Say: Selfish / Doesn’t care about others
30. Puppet master
Meaning: Tries to control or use others.
Sample Sentences: He tells everyone what to do. / She acts like a puppet master with her group.
Other Way to Say: Controlling / Bossy fake friend
31. Bend with the wind
Meaning: Changes opinion to fit in.
Sample Sentences: He always agrees with the loudest person. / She bends with the wind, never stands up for me.
Other Way to Say: Goes with the crowd / Not true
32. Sugar-coated
Meaning: Makes things sound nice but hides the truth.
Sample Sentences: She sugar-coated her apology. / His compliments feel fake.
Other Way to Say: Not honest / Too sweet to believe
33. Chameleon friend
Meaning: Changes to fit in with others.
Sample Sentences: She’s a chameleon she’s different with each group. / He copies everyone else.
Other Way to Say: Not being yourself / Fake
34. Say one thing, do another
Meaning: Doesn’t act how they talk.
Sample Sentences: He says we’re friends, but then he ignores me. / She promises but never does it.
Other Way to Say: Not true to words / Doesn’t match actions
35. Out for themselves
Meaning: Only looks out for their own gain.
Sample Sentences: He joined our group just to win. / She’s out for herself not a real friend.
Other Way to Say: Self-centered / Only cares about winning
36. Only when they need something
Meaning: Acts like your friend just to get help or stuff.
Sample Sentences: She calls me only when she needs help. / He’s only nice when he wants something.
Other Way to Say: Selfish friend / Just using you
37. Not in your corner
Meaning: Doesn’t support or stand up for you.
Sample Sentences: He wasn’t in my corner when I got picked on. / She didn’t speak up for me.
Other Way to Say: Not supportive / Doesn’t have your back
38. Plastic smile
Meaning: Fake happy face with no real feeling.
Sample Sentences: She gave me a plastic smile after ignoring me. / His smile didn’t feel real.
Other Way to Say: Fake smile / Pretending to be nice
39. Quick to leave
Meaning: Leaves you when things get tough.
Sample Sentences: He was quick to leave when I needed help. / She left the moment I was sad.
Other Way to Say: Doesn’t stay / Not loyal
40. Never checks in
Meaning: Doesn’t ask how you’re doing or show care.
Sample Sentences: He never checks in unless he needs something. / She never texts unless it’s about schoolwork.
Other Way to Say: Doesn’t care / No real friendship
41. One-sided friendship
Meaning: You do all the work in the friendship.
Sample Sentences: I always call first it’s a one-sided friendship. / She never says thank you.
Other Way to Say: Not equal / You give, they take
42. Leaves you out
Meaning: Doesn’t include you on purpose.
Sample Sentences: They left me out of the group game. / She never invites me anymore.
Other Way to Say: Excludes you / Doesn’t include
43. Cloudy friend
Meaning: Makes things unclear or confusing.
Sample Sentences: I never know where I stand with him he’s a cloudy friend. / She sends mixed signals.
Other Way to Say: Hard to understand / Not clear
44. Behind the mask
Meaning: Hides true feelings or mean side.
Sample Sentences: He acts sweet but has a mean side behind the mask. / I didn’t see who she really was at first.
Other Way to Say: Hiding real self / Pretending
45. Quick to blame
Meaning: Blames you instead of being honest.
Sample Sentences: He blamed me when he was late. / She’s always quick to blame.
Other Way to Say: Doesn’t take the blame / Blames others
46. Turns the crowd
Meaning: Gets others to go against you.
Sample Sentences: She turned the whole class against me. / He made the group leave me out.
Other Way to Say: Turns people / Stirs up trouble
47. Spotlight stealer
Meaning: Always wants the attention.
Sample Sentences: He took credit for my idea. / She’s a spotlight stealer and pushes me aside.
Other Way to Say: Wants all the praise / Takes credit
48. Laughs at you, not with you
Meaning: Makes fun of you instead of having fun with you.
Sample Sentences: He said it was a joke, but it hurt. / She laughed at my mistake.
Other Way to Say: Makes fun / Not kind
49. Doesn’t clap when you win
Meaning: Not happy when something good happens for you.
Sample Sentences: I got the award, but she didn’t clap. / He looked mad when I won.
Other Way to Say: Not supportive / Jealous
50. Drops you like a hot potato
Meaning: Stops being your friend very quickly.
Sample Sentences: She dropped me like a hot potato after making new friends. / He left as soon as things got boring.
Other Way to Say: Quit fast / Left you behind
51. Puts on a show
Meaning: Pretends to be your friend in front of others.
Sample Sentences: He’s only nice in front of teachers. / She puts on a show for the group.
Other Way to Say: Acts fake / Not true
52. Door only swings one way
Meaning: You give but they never give back.
Sample Sentences: I help him all the time, but he never helps me. / It’s like the door only swings one way.
Other Way to Say: Not a two-way friendship / Always taking
53. Shady friend
Meaning: Sneaky and not trustworthy.
Sample Sentences: He acts shady when he talks to others. / I don’t trust her anymore.
Other Way to Say: Suspicious / Not honest
54. Fake to your face
Meaning: Acts friendly in front of you but isn’t really.
Sample Sentences: She’s fake to my face and mean behind it. / He says we’re friends but doesn’t act like it.
Other Way to Say: Pretending / Not true friend
55. Always the victim
Meaning: Never admits their own mistakes and always blames others.
Sample Sentences: He always says he’s the victim. / She never says sorry, just blames everyone.
Other Way to Say: Blames others / Won’t admit fault
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms about Fake Friends
1. What does it mean if someone is “two-faced”?
A. They wear glasses
B. They say one thing but do another
C. They like to wear makeup
2. If someone is a “fair-weather friend,” when are they around?
A. When you’re having fun
B. Only during storms
C. When you are sick
3. What does it mean to “stab someone in the back”?
A. Hug them too hard
B. Say bad things about them secretly
C. Help them with their homework
4. If a friend gives you the “cold shoulder,” what are they doing?
A. Sharing their jacket
B. Ignoring you on purpose
C. Giving you a cold drink
5. What does “throw you under the bus” mean?
A. Play in traffic
B. Make you miss the bus
C. Blame you to save themselves
6. If someone is “just along for the ride,” what kind of friend are they?
A. A real friend who helps
B. Someone who stays only for fun
C. A friend who drives
7. What does it mean if a person is a “puppet master”?
A. They make fun puppets
B. They try to control others
C. They like to dance
8. What does “sugar-coated” mean when talking about a fake friend?
A. They are covered in candy
B. They act sweet but aren’t honest
C. They bring you food
9. What kind of friend “laughs at you, not with you”?
A. One who tells funny jokes
B. One who shares fun
C. One who makes fun of you
10. If a person “never claps when you win,” how do they feel?
A. Happy for you
B. Sad for themselves
C. Not happy about your success
11. What does “plastic smile” mean?
A. A toy smile
B. A fake happy face
C. A Halloween mask
12. If someone “drops you like a hot potato,” what did they do?
A. Shared their snack
B. Stayed by your side
C. Left you very quickly
Answer Key
- B. They say one thing but do another
- A. When you’re having fun
- B. Say bad things about them secretly
- B. Ignoring you on purpose
- C. Blame you to save themselves.
- B. Someone who stays only for fun
- B. They try to control others
- B. They act sweet but aren’t honest
- C. One who makes fun of you
- C. Not happy about your success.
- B. A fake happy face
- C. Left you very quickly.
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idioms Master!
You know how to spot fake friends and understand tricky phrases. - 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms.
Great effort! Just a little more practice and you’ll be ready for anything. - 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
You’re learning! Keep going and review a few idioms again. - 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together.
Don’t worry. With some help and practice, you’ll be better in no time.
Conclusion
Fake friends can be tricky to spot, but idioms help us understand their actions. These short sayings explain how someone might pretend to be kind while not being honest. Knowing them helps you talk about feelings and notice who is really there for you.
Real friends care, listen, and stay by your side. If someone acts nice but treats you badly later, they may not be a true friend. Use these idioms to think about friendships and choose people who treat you well.
