释义 |
DictionarySeewolfwolf in sheep's clothing
a wolf in sheep's clothingA person or thing that appears harmless but is actually dangerous or bad. Don't trust Dana—she's a wolf in sheep's clothing who will try to steal your position if given the chance. The politician portrayed himself as moderate, but turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing with a radical agenda.See also: clothing, wolfwolf in sheep's clothingFig. a dangerous person pretending to be harmless. Carla thought the handsome stranger was gentle and kind, but Susan suspected he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Mimi: Why shouldn't I go out with David? He's the nicest man I've ever met. Alan: He's a wolf in sheep's clothing, Mimi. Can't you tell?See also: clothing, wolfwolf in sheep's clothingAn 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). See also: clothing, wolf wolf in sheep's clothing One who feigns congeniality while actually holding malevolent intentions.See also: clothing, wolfwolf in sheep's clothing, aAn enemy masquerading as a friend. The term comes from Aesop’s fable about a wolf dressing up as a shepherd (in some versions, as a sheep) and sneaking up on the flock. In the Bible, Jesus warns of “false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). The expression has appealed to hundreds of writers. Clare Boothe Luce (Kiss the Boys Good-bye, 1939) used it to describe a predatory male collegian: “A wolf with a sheepskin.”See also: wolfMedicalSeeWolf |