A wolf in sheep’s clothing is a dangerous, dishonest, or malicious person who pretends to be friendly, harmless, and trustworthy in order to deceive and take advantage of others. Such a person is, in other words, an enemy disguised as a friend.
Also: Wolves in sheep’s clothing, in sheep’s clothing, sheep’s clothing
What Does “Sheep’s Clothing” Mean When Used Alone?
Because the core idiom is so widely recognized, speakers and writers frequently use in sheep’s clothing or sheep’s clothing by itself as a standalone descriptor:
- A Deceptive Façade: When used alone, “sheep’s clothing” refers to any innocent, appealing, or harmless disguise that conceals harmful intentions, toxic behavior, or destructive policies (e.g., “The new deregulation bill was corporate greed in sheep’s clothing.”).
- Swapping the Predator: Writers often replace “wolf” with other words while keeping the clothing metaphor intact, such as “a snake in sheep’s clothing” or “a devil in sheep’s clothing.”
Famous Variations and Wordplay
The familiarity of the idiom has inspired well-known linguistic twists:
- “A Sheep in Sheep’s Clothing” (Winston Churchill): British Prime Minister Winston Churchill famously subverted the phrase to deliver a biting insult about his mild-mannered successor, Clement Attlee, quipping: “He is a modest man, who has much to be modest about… a sheep in sheep’s clothing.” The joke meant Attlee looked timid and meek on the surface, and was just as utterly timid and unremarkable beneath it.
- A Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing: The direct inversion of the idiom describes someone who puts on a tough, aggressive, or intimidating front to appear menacing, but is actually gentle, insecure, or harmless on the inside.
Origin: Aesop’s Fables and the Bible
The phrase has dual ancient roots in classical literature and biblical scripture:
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Gospel of Matthew)
The exact wording comes directly from the King James translation of the Bible in Matthew 7:15, where Jesus warns his followers against religious charlatans:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
In pastoral Judea, sheep symbolized innocence, vulnerability, and the faithful flock, while wolves were apex predators that preyed upon them. The metaphor warned that spiritual deceivers would disguise themselves as members of the flock to devour it from within.
The Medieval Aesop’s Fable
A parallel story appears in later medieval collections attributed to Aesop. In the fable, a wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing to the vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs. But one day it found the fleece of a sheep that had been flayed and thrown aside, so the wolf put the fleece on over its own pelt and strolled down among the sheep.
The lamb whose fleece the wolf was wearing began to follow the wolf, so the wolf led the lamb a little apart from the others and soon made a meal of her. Soon he was bold enough to enter the flock and walk among the other sheep.
However, it just so happened that the shepherd, whose vigilance has long kept the wolf at bay, had a craving for a mutton broth that very evening. So, picking up a knife, he went into the fold. The first sheep he laid hands on was the sheep, which he killed immediately.
Sentence Examples
“He seemed like an attentive, generous mentor at first, but he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing who ended up stealing her company shares.”
“He’s a con artist; a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He uses his charm and good looks to gain your trust and then he takes advantage of you.”
“Don’t go to that car dealership. All the salesmen there are wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
“He acts like a ruthless street brawler, but deep down he’s just a sheep in wolf’s clothing.”
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Similar and Related Expressions
- Snake in the Grass: A treacherous, deceitful person who hides their true hostile nature while pretending to be harmless.
- Two-Faced: Deceitful or insincere; acting friendly to someone’s face while speaking ill of them or betraying them behind their back.
- Fox Guarding the Henhouse: A person is placed in a position where they will use it for personal gain, to harm people, or to act out personal vendettas.
- Trojan Horse: A person, policy, or thing intended to undermine or defeat an opponent securely from within.
- Appearances Can Be Deceiving: A proverb warning that outward looks often conceal true character or reality.
- Fair-Weather Friend: Someone who is friendly and loyal only when times are pleasant and easy, but deserts you in trouble.