clothing
a wolf in sheep's clothing
A person or thing that appears harmless but is actually dangerous or bad. Don't trust Dana—she's a wolf in sheep's clothing who will try to steal your position if given the chance. The politician portrayed himself as moderate, but turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing with a radical agenda.
See also: clothing, wolf
not have a stitch of clothing (one)
To be totally nude; to not have any clothing on whatsoever. My roommate didn't have a stitch of clothing on as I walked into the kitchen. I nearly dropped my mug of tea! The group of ten or so students didn't have a stitch of clothing between them as they streaked onto the field during the halftime performance.
See also: clothing, have, not, of, stitch
with not a stitch of clothing (on)
Totally nude; not wearing any clothing whatsoever. As I walked into the kitchen, I saw my roommate by the counter with not a stitch of clothing on. I nearly dropped my mug of tea! The group of ten or so students streaked onto the field with not a stitch of clothing between them.
See also: clothing, not, of, stitch
without a stitch of clothing (on)
Completely nude; having no articles of clothing on whatsoever. As I walked into the kitchen, I saw my roommate by the counter without a stitch of clothing on. I nearly dropped my mug of tea out of shock! The group of ten or so students streaked onto the field without a stitch of clothing between them.
See also: clothing, of, stitch, without
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
wolf in sheep's clothing
Fig. a dangerous person pretending to be harmless. Carla thought the handsome stranger was gentle and kind, but Susan suspected he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Mimi: Why shouldn't I go out with David? He's the nicest man I've ever met. Alan: He's a wolf in sheep's clothing, Mimi. Can't you tell?
See also: clothing, wolf
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
wolf in sheep's clothing
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).
See also: clothing, wolf
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a wolf in sheep's clothing
A wolf in sheep's clothing is someone or something that appears harmless or ordinary but is in fact very dangerous or powerful. The judge said Granger appeared to be a nice young gentleman, but was in fact a wolf in sheep's clothing — a ruthless individual with absolutely no morals. This car has to be the ultimate wolf in sheep's clothing. It looks like an ever-so sensible estate — until you hit the accelerator. Note: Less often, people describe someone as a sheep in wolf's clothing, meaning that a person seems dangerous or powerful, but in fact is harmless or ordinary. She was tall, with a loud voice and could seem a little intimidating but was in fact a sheep in wolf's clothing, loved by all who knew her. Note: In one of Aesop's fables, a wolf wraps itself in a fleece and manages to get into a sheepfold without being noticed. It then attacks the sheep and eats them. This image is also used in the Bible: `Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.' (Matthew 7:15)
See also: clothing, wolf
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
a wolf in sheep's clothing
a person or thing that appears friendly or harmless but is really hostile and dangerous.This expression comes from Jesus's words in Matthew 7:15: ‘Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves’.
See also: clothing, wolf
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
a wolf in sheep’s ˈclothing
a person who appears friendly and nice but is really dangerousSee also: clothing, wolf
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
wolf in sheep's clothing
One who feigns congeniality while actually holding malevolent intentions.
See also: clothing, wolf
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
wolf in sheep's clothing, a
An enemy masquerading as a friend. The term comes from Aesop’s fable about a wolf dressing up as a shepherd (in some versions, as a sheep) and sneaking up on the flock. In the Bible, Jesus warns of “false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). The expression has appealed to hundreds of writers. Clare Boothe Luce (Kiss the Boys Good-bye, 1939) used it to describe a predatory male collegian: “A wolf with a sheepskin.”
See also: wolf
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- a wolf in sheep's clothing
- wolf in sheep's clothing
- wolf in sheep's clothing, a
- sheep
- take the teeth out of
- a steal
- be a steal
- tarred with the same brush, to be
- dumb bunny
- old trout