devil in disguise
Wolf in sheepcloth
A devil in disguise is someone or something that appears harmless or beneficial but is actually harmful or malicious.
The phrase captures the idea of hidden danger beneath an attractive surface: He seemed charming at first, but he turned out to be a devil in disguise.
Often used of people whose true nature only emerges over time.
One feigning another's identity
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- deceiverOne who tricks others
pretender · masquerader · phony · fake · sham · hoax · trickster · snake oil salesman
One who betrays allegiance
- backstabberDisloyal pretend ally
- JudasArchetypal betrayer name
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
wolf in sheep's clothing · false friend · two-faced · betrayer · snake in the grass · sellout · fink · rat
Device for catching animals
- pitfallHidden danger or drawback
- landmineBuried pressure-activated explosive
- booby trapHidden device to harm
- time bombExplosive on a timer
Trojan horse · snare · ambush · minefield · iceberg · quicksand · powder keg · tinderbox
Urge toward the unwise
- temptressWoman who entices
- sirenWailing alert device
- femme fataleTreacherous enchantress
- enchantressWoman who uses sorcery
Delilah · forbidden fruit · allure · enticement · lure · beguiling · bewitching · enchantment
Profound moral wickedness
- wickedEvil or slang-excellent
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
- demonicOf or like devils
satanic · villainous · nefarious · malevolent · corrupt · vile · malignant · pernicious
impostor
One feigning another's identity
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
deceiver · pretender · masquerader · phony · fake · sham · hoax · trickster · snake oil salesman · confidence man
traitor
One who betrays allegiance
- backstabberDisloyal pretend ally
- JudasArchetypal betrayer name
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
turncoat · wolf in sheep's clothing · false friend · two-faced · betrayer · snake in the grass · sellout · fink · rat · defector
trap
Device for catching animals
- pitfallHidden danger or drawback
- landmineBuried pressure-activated explosive
- booby trapHidden device to harm
time bomb · Trojan horse · snare · ambush · minefield · iceberg · quicksand · powder keg · tinderbox · ticking bomb
temptation
Urge toward the unwise
- temptressWoman who entices
- sirenWailing alert device
- femme fataleTreacherous enchantress
enchantress · Delilah · forbidden fruit · allure · enticement · lure · beguiling · bewitching · enchantment · captivation
evil
Profound moral wickedness
- wickedEvil or slang-excellent
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
demonic · satanic · villainous · nefarious · malevolent · corrupt · vile · malignant · pernicious · baleful
devil in disguiseblessing in disguise
Apparent misfortune yielding benefit
diamond in the rough · guardian angel · hidden gem · rough diamond · unsung hero
devil in disguisewhat you see is what you get
No deception or concealment
open book · straight shooter · honest broker · genuine article · true to form
devil, devils, devilish, devilry, deviltry, bedevil, bedeviled, disguise, disguised