wolf guarding the sheep
Synonym of poacher turned gamekeeper.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Putting him in charge is like a wolf guarding the sheep.”
“Appointing a corrupt official to lead the ethics committee is like having a wolf guarding the sheep.”
“By entrusting the company's financial oversight to the very person who embezzled its funds, the board essentially left a wolf guarding the sheep.”
- 01
black sheep
A nonconformist; an unusual or unconventional person, who may be rejected or disdained by others for this reason.
- 02
count sheep
To attempt to go to sleep by thinking of something boring, traditionally by counting imaginary sheep.
- 03
cry wolf
To raise a false alarm; to constantly warn others about an imagined threat, thereby failing to get assistance when a real threat appears.
- 04
have the wolf by the ear
To be in a dangerous situation from which one cannot disengage, but in which one cannot safely remain.
- 05
keep the wolf from the door
To ward off poverty or hunger.
- 06
take guard
(For a new batsman, with help from the umpire) to mark a point on the popping crease in front of his wicket so that he knows where it is behind him; to guard.
- 07
throw to the wolves
To sacrifice someone, especially in an attempt to save oneself.
- 08
white sheep
a conformist; an ordinary or conventional person
Last updated August 10, 2026