wolf in sheep's clothing

1. Figuratively, anyone who disguises a ruthless nature through an outward show of innocence. Jesus taught his followers to “beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

Idioms and Phrases

An 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).

Example Sentences

“This decision is another wolf in sheep’s clothing from a Court that has entirely lost the plot on the separation of church and state,” said Kimberly Inez McGuire, executive director of URGE, or Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity.

From Los Angeles Times

But for those strongly opposed to the AfD she is a fig leaf or - as one Social Democrat put it - a "wolf in sheep's clothing".

From BBC

In the psychological thriller “Heretic” from A24, the typically debonair Hugh Grant turns diabolical, but like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, he’s disguised by a singular cardigan, one painstakingly selected by costume designer Betsy Heimann.

From Los Angeles Times

In handing down a harsher sentence, Anderson referred to Moore as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

From Los Angeles Times

“To use a religious term, I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Spilsbury said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bigot 
• charlatan 
• crook 
• impostor 
• phony 
• trickster