fox in the henhouse
Predator among prey
A fox in the henhouse is someone placed in a position where they can exploit or harm what they're supposedly protecting.
The image is of a predator given access to vulnerable prey: Putting that lobbyist in charge of regulations is like a fox in the henhouse.
The phrase often describes conflicts of interest in appointments or oversight.
- vulpineResembling a fox
- accident waiting to happenClearly risky situation
- asking for troubleBehaving in risky ways
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
hidden agenda · cunning · fraud · treachery · backstabber · snake in the grass · duplicity · deceiver · Trojan horse · infiltrator · double agent · scheming · wolf in sheep's clothing · saboteur · betrayal · security breach · con artist · bad actor
fox in the henhousewatchdog
Guard or monitor
good shepherd · honest broker · safe pair of hands · neutral party · trustee
foxes, foxing, foxhole, hens, henhouse, house, houses, housed, housing