phrase
Latin
also: Roman History
also: Latin Phrases
Et tu, Brute?
lit. โAnd you, Brutus?โ
An expression of shock at being betrayed by a close friend.
Origin
Spoken by Julius Caesar in Shakespeare's play as Brutus joins the conspirators stabbing him. Probably not actually Caesar's last words historically, but Shakespeare's version dominates the cultural memory.
Modern usage
Said (often jokingly) when a friend or ally sides against you in a small matter โ taking the last slice of cake, voting against your idea, mocking you on social media.
Tags
betrayal
friend