A wolf in sheep's clothing

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Meaning

Someone hiding bad intent behind a gentle facade, deceptive.

Origin

From ancient Greece, in Aesop's fable 'The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing' (6th century BCE), where a wolf tricks lambs, English by 1380 in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' as 'wolf in sheep's skin. ' The Bible (Matthew 7: 15) echoes it, warning of false prophets.

Variants

  • Wolf in sheep

Usage Examples

  • He's a wolf in sheep's clothing-smiles, then stabs.
  • That deal's a wolf in sheep's clothing; looks safe, isn't.
  • A wolf in sheep's clothing; she fooled us all.

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