English Explanatory Dictionary

snake in the grass

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A hidden enemy.

Pronunciation

/ˈsneɪk ɪn ðə ˈɡɹɑːs/ /ˈsneɪk ɪn ðə ˈɡɹæs/ En-au-snake in the grass.ogg

Word forms

snake in the grass snakes in the grass

Etymology

Calque of Latin latet anguis in herbā (literally “a snake hides in the grass”), from Eclogue III by the Roman poet Virgil (traditionally 70 – 19 B.C.E.). Compare Dutch addertje onder het gras.

Synonyms

backstabber wolf in sheep's clothing betrayer double-crosser quisling rat ratter recreant renegade serpent snake snake in the grass swike traitor treacher treacherer treasonist turntippet withersake

Related words

fifth column grass snake
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