wolf in sheep's clothing

Cultural  

1. Figuratively, anyone who disguises a ruthless nature through an outward show of innocence. Jesus taught his followers to “beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

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wolf in sheep's clothing Idioms  

1. An enemy disguised as a friend, as in Dan was a wolf in sheep's clothing, pretending to help but all the while spying for our competitors. This term comes from the ancient fable about a wolf that dresses up in the skin of a sheep and sneaks up on a flock. This fable has given rise to a rich history of allusions as in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus speaks of false prophets in sheep's clothing, “but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wolf in sheep's clothing

“Ghislaine, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, you used your femininity to betray us, and you led us all through it.”

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 25, 2022

"Gregory Dow was the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing," said the FBI's Michael Driscoll.

From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2021

“A wolf in sheep’s clothing is still a wolf. Know your enemy.”

From Fox News ● Jun. 10, 2020

A wolf in sheep’s clothing separates the goats.

From The New Yorker ● Sep. 2, 2019

He's a regular wolf in sheep's clothing, if ever there was one.

From Travelers Five Along Life's Highway by Annie F. (Annie Fellows) Johnston

Related Words

• bigot
• charlatan
• crook
• impostor
• phony
• trickster