cloven hoof

cloven hoof

An evil or malicious nature. The devil is typically depicted with cloven hooves. I thought I could trust Eric until he showed the cloven hoof by spreading rumors about me. Jill definitely sabotaged my last two relationships. She might seem nice, but she always shows a cloven hoof eventually.
See also: cloven, hoof
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a cloven hoof

a symbol or indication of evil.
Traditional pictures of the Devil show him with the head and torso of a man but the legs and cloven hoofs of a goat. Therefore, a cloven hoof is a giveaway sign of the Devil.
1959 François Mauriac A Woman of Pharisees She had been a trial to him from the beginning, and now the cloven hoof was beginning to show.
See also: cloven, hoof
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • cloven
  • a cloven hoof
  • show the cloven hoof
  • show (one's) horns
  • have to hoof it
  • hoof it
  • not as black as (one) is painted
  • not as black as you are painted
  • painted
  • black as one is painted
References in periodicals archive
Summary: A man with cloven hoofs in place of feet and a clay pot on his head sips liquor from a martini glass while riding on the back of a giant fish with legs.
A seasonal feast of works by Armenian artists
yet you are only pig in the pen to sling mud bile and sh**e every inch your evil cloven hoofs trample", People Magazine reported.
Charlie Sheen says 'pig' Denise Richards has cloven hooves instead of feet
The government has now begun a programme to vaccinate all pigs, cows and cloven hoofed animals.
Pigs 'buried alive' claim; FARM & COUNTRY
Reading or watching great monster stories, we get to accompany the frightened heroes or heroines as they descend into the dragon's lair; crane our necks over the tops of books or movie seats and peek into the dank recesses of the giant cyclops' cave; stretch out our trembling hands and actually touch the monster's reptilian scales, hairy paws, or cloven hoofs; and then run screaming like a banshee the instant it wakes from its slumber.
Why modern monsters have become alien to us
As a result of the findings, the slaughter and movement of all cloven hoofed animals and their fresh products within and out of Sehithwa, Toteng, Bodibeng, Kareng and Semboyo extension areas are suspended until further notice, the release says.
Ngamiland in Foot, Mouth Disease scare
She concluded that the flesh of pigs was forbidden because they were cloven hoofed like the cow, but did not chew the cud.
Dame Mary Douglas; OBITUARY
These parents would be amazed to find that their so-called 'angels' have cloven hoofs when out of sight of them.
Bus drivers not to blame
This year, for the first time, the event has been extended to two days in order to accommodate the Welsh Ponies and Cobs which proved to be such a crowd-pulling attraction at last year's Fair when cloven hoofed animals were still banned due to foot-and-mouth restrictions.
Country and farming: Comment - Cob is king at the Winter Fair