ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fox in the henhouse

idiom
Meaning

Someone untrustworthy placed in a position of trust in which they will be harmful, damaging or detrimental for their own personal gain.


Origin

disputed origin

A metaphor referring to the fox as a predator that would prey on the chickens if given an opportunity to do so.

Examples
SIMPLE

Putting him in charge is like putting a fox in the henhouse.

CONTEXTUAL

The company hired a consultant known for closing factories, which felt like putting a fox in the henhouse.

COMPLEX

By appointing the corrupt official to oversee the ethics committee, the government effectively placed a fox in the henhouse.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    cock in the henhouse

    A man in a situation where he has access to many women, presumably intending to seduce them.

  2. 02

    fox sleep

    Feigned sleep while actually alert.

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