Top Pages
Home
A-Z Glossary
Punctuation
A-Z Confused Words
Common Mistakes
(ordered by seriousness) Top Tip
Get a grammar checker
for your browser ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists Tests and Games Awkward Plurals Sayings and Proverbs Twitter YouTube
(ordered by seriousness) Top Tip
Get a grammar checker
for your browser ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists Tests and Games Awkward Plurals Sayings and Proverbs Twitter YouTube
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (Origin)
by Craig ShrivesWhat Is the Origin of the Saying "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"?
The term a wolf in a sheep's clothing is used to describe a person who seems outwardly mild but is in fact dangerous or dynamic. The term comes from a famous fable by Aesops, who told a story about a wolf that deceives farmers by wrapping himself in a sheep’s fleece.A Competing Theory
The origin of this phrase is found in the Bible. In Matthew 7:15, it states beware of the false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing.Previous and Next Sayings
Test Your Knowledge of English Proverbs and Idioms
Ready for the Test?
More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
Next lesson >