Context

This line is spoken by Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, in the film The Godfather Part II, directed by Francis Ford Coppola (1974).

Fredo Corleone—of the mafia Corleones—is Michael Corleone's older brother. (No, his first name isn't "Al.") Although Fredo is the elder bro, he's always been the Luigi to Michael's Mario—second fiddle, relegated to the sidelines, seen as weaker. But Fredo wants to be player #1, so he betrays Michael by making a business deal behind his back.

When Michael finds out, he gives Fredo a big ol' smooch at a party in Havana. This is the kiss of death, and he follows it by saying, "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart." Betrayal leaves a bad taste in Michael's mouth.

Watch the heart-breaking clip.

Where you've heard it

You'll hear this if you've betrayed someone. And, if you hear it from someone in the mafia, it might be one of the last things you'll hear. The actual kiss of death in particular has been seen often in pop culture, from The Simpsons to the Nicolas Cage movie Kiss of Death.

Additional Notable References:

• Memes featuring babies
• T-shirts without babies

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

You have every right to be angry if someone betrays you, so this quote is cruelly honest, not pretentious (although anyone not named Fredo might look at you funny). But just remember, this is the kiss of death. It's not kiss-and-make-up; it's kiss-and-break-up… forever.