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Explaining "Snake in the grass"
Reviewed and edited by 
Anwar Kareem 07/10/2024, 01:34
Anwar Kareem 07/10/2024, 01:34English.me team member
What does it mean?
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.
Tone
Negative
Origin
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 of usage
- 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.
Phrases
