wolf in sheep’s clothing
wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning
- deceptive appearance, like a dangerous person disguised as harmless.
- someone pretending to be innocent or gentle while having malicious intentions.
- concealing true intentions behind a façade of harmlessness.
- a deceptive individual masking their true nature with a benign exterior.
- refers to a person or thing that appears harmless but is actually dangerous or deceitful.
Example Sentences
- The new employee was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, stealing company secrets.
- Online scams often disguise themselves as wolves in sheep’s clothing, promising rewards while stealing information.
- The politician’s promises were a facade; he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, involved in corruption.
- The salesman was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, selling faulty products.
- The friendly neighbor was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, spreading rumors and trouble.
Origin and History
The idiom “wolf in sheep’s clothing” originates from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, cautioning against false prophets who appear harmless but are actually dangerous. This warning, found in the Gospel of Matthew, suggests that true intentions are revealed through actions. Over time, the phrase was widely used in Latin writings and European literature. While often associated with Aesop’s fables, the specific tale of a wolf disguised as a sheep emerged later, notably in a 12th-century work by Nikephoros Basilakis. In this story, the wolf’s disguise leads to its downfall, contrasting with the biblical parable’s focus on identifying deceitful individuals.
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