wolf in sheep's clothing

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun

Someone who or something which is harmful or threatening but disguised as something peaceful or pleasant.

Pronunciation

/ˈwʊlf ɪn ˈʃiːps ˈkləʊðɪŋ/ /ˈwʊlf ən ˈʃips ˈkloʊðɪŋ/ En-us-wolf in sheep's clothing.mp3 En-au-wolf in sheep's clothing.ogg

Word forms

wolf in sheep's clothing wolves in sheep's clothing

Etymology

From Matthew 7:15 in the Bible (King James Version; spelling modernized): “Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

paper tiger sheep in wolf's clothing

Related words

devil in disguise

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