Idiom
Wolf in sheep's clothing
A wolf in sheep's clothing is someone who seems friendly or harmless but actually means to cause harm.
How people use it
People use it for anyone who hides bad intentions behind a gentle, trustworthy appearance: a con artist, a fake friend, or even a deal that looks safe but isn't. The usual form is "a wolf in sheep's clothing," and people often say someone "turned out to be" one. Watch the apostrophe: it is sheep's, since sheep is the same in singular and plural. The phrase works as a warning, so its tone is serious, but it is common in everyday speech.
Examples
- The friendly caller offering a free prize was a wolf in sheep's clothing trying to get bank details.
- Grace warned her brother that the charming new business partner might be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
- That cute little game app turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing, full of hidden fees.
Where it comes from
The image appears in the Gospel of Matthew, which warns against false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are wolves inside. Separately, a fable later added to Aesop's collections tells of a wolf who wears a sheepskin to sneak into a flock. English has used the phrase for centuries, and many other languages have the same expression.
Check yourself
1. What is a wolf in sheep's clothing?
Answer: Someone dangerous who pretends to be harmless. The idiom describes hidden bad intentions behind a gentle appearance.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: The polite stranger was a wolf in sheep's clothing who stole her wallet.. The first sentence describes someone harmful pretending to be nice.
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