snake in the grass
5
8.1
- idiom
- Offensive
:
serpiente en la hierba
- I knew he was a snake in the grass before he even opened his mouth.
We need to keep our eyes on snake in the grass JD Vance.
- We need to keep our eyes on snake in the grass JD Vance.
Examples
-
He's a yellow snake in the grass and he can't be trusted, Martha.
-
Who hired this snake in the grass?
Blog text (5) -
Wayne's a snake in the grass.
-
She's a snake in the grass.
-
He is an evil, corrupt, lying snake in the grass.
Blog text (2) -
You're a snake in the grass, ain't you, Tommy?
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A snake in the grass who betrays his family ties as easily as he betrays his word.
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I realized he was a snake in the grass when he betrayed my trust.
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She seemed friendly, but I knew she was just a snake in the grass at heart.
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Don't be fooled by his charm; he's really a snake in the grass who will stab you in the back.
Synonyms
160
4.4
A person who pretends to be something they are not to trick others
121
8.1
A person who lies to others and cannot be trusted
73
6.2
A person who pretends to have feelings or beliefs to deceive others
65
3.7
A person who pretends to be someone they are not
64
7.9
A person who is sneaky and dishonest, often trying to trick others
40
4.8
A person who tricks people by gaining their trust to take their money or valuables
20
6.0
A person who lies to or cheats others, often to have fun
15
5.2
A person who pretends to be someone else or lies to trick people
14
9.9
A person, often a lawyer or politician, who acts dishonestly to get what they want
13
5.5
A person who tricks others by making them believe something not true
13
7.9
A person who tricks others to take their money or things
8
5.1
A person who acts friendly but secretly betrays someone who trusts them
7
7.4
A person who lies about their job or skills to trick people
7
6.2
A person who seems friendly but is actually dangerous or dishonest
4
6.7
A person who tricks people into believing something false for fun or attention
2
6.8
A person who pretends to be loyal but betrays someone
1
9.9
A person who seems friendly but tricks others to get what they want
1
8.5
A person who pretends to be a friend but secretly works against others
1
9.5
A person who hides real thoughts or plans by saying something else
1
7.8
A person who seems kind but is really dangerous
1
7.8
A person who tricks or cheats people, often as a joke
Appearing friendly but secretly trying to compete with you
A person who pretends to have skills or money to impress others
A person who tricks people to get their money or things
A person who lies or cheats and cannot be trusted
Antonyms
How Deceitful
- Offensive
381
3.9
- Offensive
8
5.1
- Offensive
5
8.1
- Offensive
22
6.7
- Slang
5
7.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The image of a 'snake' hidden 'in the grass' yields a clear metaphor of concealed danger or treachery, so a learner who knows the words can plausibly infer a meaning like a hidden/deceitful person. However, the interpersonal sense (someone who pretends to be friendly but is treacherous) is a figurative, culturally conventionalized extension and not strictly compositional, so full understanding often requires prior exposure.
Etymology
The idiom snake in the grass comes from the picture of a snake hiding quietly in grass, looking harmless until it strikes without warning. That's why the phrase means 'a person who pretends to be friendly but is actually deceitful or treacherous'.