A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing – Meaning, Origin & Usage
The phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ paints an intriguing and ominous picture, which is fitting when you consider what it means. But if you don’t yet know what it means, then you have come to the perfect place.
In this article, I will be explaining what the phrase means, looking into the origins of the phrase, describing the how and when for using the phrase, and providing some alternative phrases that you can use in its place if you deem it more appropriate.
And without further ado, let’s get straight to it.
What is the meaning of the phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’?
The phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ is a striking metaphor that is used to describe someone who pretends to be the same as their prey, so that they can sneak in among them and attack from the centre. Or in other words, someone who is disguising themselves as innocent when they have an ulterior motive, and are not innocent at all.
Such a person may approach others while appearing to be innocent and kind, or even having much in common with their preferred target. This way they can make their presence feel like no cause of concern even though it really should be.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’?
The idea of ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ is particularly old, as well as prevalent. For instance, In the Christian Bible, in the section of the New Testament Matthew 7:15, it’s written ‘Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravaging wolves.’ The line was believed to have been used by Jesus when he gave the Sermon on the mount. The line comes from an ancient fable about a wolf that dresses up in the skin of a sheep and sneaks up on a flock of sheep to devour them one by one.
The expression is to be found in several different languages, including Latin, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Romanian, Swedish, German, Icelandic, Swedish, Polish, and Turkish, so the phrase is as ubiquitous as it is old.
How and when to use the phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’?
You can use the phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ in any circumstances, including socially at a bar, when someone is looking for a hook-up, or even in business settings when talking about how a competitor is connecting with the target customers, or talking about someone poaching staff.
The phrase can also be used to describe scam artists, who are determined to con innocent victims, and rob them of their money. They may for example pretend that the victim has a problem and that they can solve it in a way that involves an unnecessary transfer of money.
Another example of the phrase in use might be to describe an undercover police investigator, who will try to blend in with criminal gangs in order to exploit them and eventually get the worst of them to meet justice, usually in the form of jail time.
What are some other ways of saying ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’?
If you choose not to use the phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing, there are alternative phrases that you can use in its place. Here are some examples for you to consider, if you feel they may be a better fit.
- You need to watch out for him/her/them/that one
- I wouldn’t trust him/her/them if I were you
- Trust me, keep away from him/her/them
- He/she/they should come with a waring
- Don’t let him/her/them fool you, he/she/they are nothing but trouble
- He/she/they is/are a con man/grifter/hoodwinker/scoundrel/hustler/predator/bloodsucker/swindler/phoney/imposter/charlatan/hoaxer/two-faced/cheat
Final word
So, to sum up, the phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ refers to someone who is disguising themselves as innocent when they have an ulterior motive, and are not innocent at all.
The phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ is an ancient phrase related to a fable about a wolf who dressed up in the clothing of sheep in order to penetrate the flock and easily get to his prey. The fable was referred to by Jesus when he gave his sermon on the mount, as is depicted in the Christian Bible, in the section of the New Testament, Matthew 7:15.
It’s one of the oldest phrases there is, and is also one of the most prevalent, having a place in several different languages. The phrase is still used to this day to describe scammers, con artists, and generally pretending to be someone other than their true, sneaky, dangerous self.
