Snake in the grass

Meaning

A hidden threat or deceitful person.

Usage

Warns teams to watch out for secret betrayals.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

From the Roman poet Virgil's Eclogues: 'latet anguis in herba', a snake lies hidden in the grass.

The image entered English in the 1500s and keeps resurfacing.