bite the hand that feeds you

idiom/baɪt ðə hænd ðæt fiːdz juː/ 🔊 listen

Bite the hand that feeds you means to harm or be ungrateful to someone who helps or supports you. Just as a fed animal that bites its owner repays care with harm, you turn against the very person you depend on.

📖 Meanings

1to harm or be ungrateful to someone who supports you
"Criticizing your sponsor publicly is biting the hand that feeds you." — Publicly criticizing your sponsor is being ungrateful to someone who supports you.
2to turn against a person you depend on
"Don't bite the hand that feeds you — he gave you this job." — Don't turn against the person who helps you — he gave you this job.

🔄 Related phrases

be ungrateful →turn on your benefactor →repay kindness with harm →

💬 Common patterns

bite the hand that feeds youdon't bite the hand that feedsbiting the hand that feeds
❓ How do you say someone is being ungrateful to a person who helps them?