Idiom
a wolf in sheep's clothing
Meaning
A dangerous or hostile person who hides behind a harmless, friendly appearance.
Examples
“He seemed friendly, but he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.”
“The charity turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing, pocketing most of the donations it collected.”
“The new investor arrived full of warm reassurances, a wolf in sheep's clothing whose real plan was to strip the company for parts and sell the name.”
Examples
simple
“He seemed friendly, but he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.”
contextual
“The charity turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing, pocketing most of the donations it collected.”
complex
“The new investor arrived full of warm reassurances, a wolf in sheep's clothing whose real plan was to strip the company for parts and sell the name.”
Origin
The phrase comes from the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 7:15, where Jesus warns his listeners: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." The warning is about deceit — spiritual predators disguised as members of the flock.
The image works because a sheep is the very picture of harmlessness, and a wolf its natural killer. To wear the one while being the other is to hide a threat behind the most reassuring possible face. A similar figure appears in Aesop's fables, but it is the Gospel wording that fixed the phrase in English.
Today a wolf in sheep's clothing is anyone who presents a gentle, trustworthy exterior to mask hostile intent — a con artist with an honest smile, or a rival who plays the friend while working against you.
Stories
The Life & Teachings of Jesus · See all Biblical origin
The Gospels and the Sermon on the Mount.
the salt of the earth — Good, honest, dependable people who lack pretension.
cast the first stone — To act self-righteously in accusing another person, believing oneself to be blameless.
go the extra mile — To make an extra effort; to do a particularly good job.
turn the other cheek — To accept punishment or injury without retaliating.
the blind leading the blind — A situation in which someone incompetent is guiding others who are equally incompetent.
the eye of a needle — A standard for something so difficult it is all but impossible to pass or achieve.
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated