snake in the grass
UK /ˈsneɪk ɪn ðə ˈɡɹɑːs/ · US /ˈsneɪk ɪn ðə ˈɡɹæs/ noun
Forms snakes in the grass
- noun (derogatory, informal) A hidden enemy.
Synonyms
backstabber wolf in sheep's clothing betrayer cockatrice double-crosser quisling rat ratter recreant renegade serpent snake swike traitor treacher treacherer treasonist turntippet withersake
Etymology
Calque of Latin latet anguis in herbā (literally “a snake hides in the grass”), from Eclogue III by the Roman poet Virgil (traditionally 70 – 19 B.C.E.). Compare Dutch addertje onder het gras.
Sources: Wiktionary — from the Wiktionary entry “snake in the grass”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details