kill loyal helpers after success; betrayal of trust
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to kill the hunting dog once the rabbit is caught; to eliminate loyal helpers after they have outlived their usefulness
derogatoryFrom the Records of the Grand Historian (《史记·越王勾践世家》): "When the flying birds are gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked." (飞鸟尽，良弓藏；狡兔死，走狗烹。) Often used alongside the related idiom 鸟尽弓藏. Carries a strong negative connotation of ingratitude and betrayal.
Throughout history, many founding emperors exhibited the behavior of killing the hunting dog after the rabbit died, breaking the hearts of their meritorious officials.
After the company went public, the founder actually killed the hunting dog once the rabbit was caught, driving away all the early partners.
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What you are doing is simply killing the dog after the hunt and putting away the bow after the birds are gone—how heartbroken those who once helped you must feel!