Snake in the grass
Significado: A treacherous person; a hidden enemy pretending to be a friend.
A 'snake in the grass' is a deceitful person who hides their malicious intent—appearing harmless while planning betrayal. The image of a hidden snake captures concealed danger.
Ejemplos
- Watch out for him—he's a snake in the grass. 小心他——他是笑里藏刀的人。Cuidado con él, es una serpiente en la hierba.彼には気をつけて—草むらの蛇だよ。그를 조심해—풀숲의 뱀이야.
- She turned out to be a snake in the grass. 她原来是个暗中使坏的人。Resultó ser una serpiente en la hierba.彼女は実は裏切り者だった。그녀는 결국 배신자였다.
- There's a snake in the grass somewhere. 暗处有个奸细。Hay una serpiente en la hierba en algún sitio.どこかに裏切り者がいる。어딘가에 배신자가 있다.
Pronunciación
/sneɪk ɪn ðə ɡrɑːs/
Guía de uso
Contexto: betrayal, deception, warning
Tono: warning, bitter
✓ Correcto
- Snake in the grass草丛中的蛇——阴险小人serpiente en la hierba草むらの蛇 — 裏切り者뒤통수치는 사람
- A snake in the grass一条草丛中的蛇una serpiente en la hierba裏切り者등 뒤의 뱀 같은 놈
Errores comunes
- About hidden enemies, not just any enemy
Origen e historia
From Virgil's Eclogues (37 BC): 'latet anguis in herba' (a snake lurks in the grass). The hidden danger of an unseen snake became a metaphor for concealed enemies.
Etimología: From Virgil's Eclogues: hidden snake = hidden enemy
Primera vez registrado: Classical Latin, English 17th century
Contexto cultural
Era: Classical origin, 17th century English
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Virgil; Universal expression
Regional notes: Classical origin, global usage.
Variaciones
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