“Snake in the grass”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase snake in the grass refers to a person who is deceitful or treacherous, someone who pretends to be your friend but is actually secretly working against you.
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Where it comes from
The phrase originates from a translation of a line in Virgil’s Eclogues, written in 37 BC. The Latin line latet anguis in herba translates to a snake lies hidden in the grass, symbolizing hidden danger or deceit.
Examples
- I thought he was supporting my ideas, but he turned out to be a snake in the grass, undermining me at every opportunity.
- Be careful when dealing with those who seem overly friendly; you never know when a snake in the grass might appear.
- She realized he was a snake in the grass only after he betrayed her trust.
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