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Region: General | Usage example: We eventually found the snake in the grass undermining the merger.

Snake in the grass

Meaning

A hidden threat or deceitful person.

Usage

Warns teams to watch out for secret betrayals.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Latin phrase serpens in herba, used by Cicero to describe a concealed danger.

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

Related Idioms

The grass is greener on the other side

Things always seem better elsewhere.

Ace in the hole

A hidden advantage kept in reserve until it's needed.

Read between the lines

Identify hidden meaning.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.