nest of vipers
Den of betrayers
A nest of vipers is a group of treacherous or malicious people, especially ones who scheme against each other or outsiders.
The image evokes dangerous creatures coiled together, ready to strike: The boardroom had become a nest of vipers.
Sometimes used for any situation full of hidden dangers or hostile actors.
Breaking of trust
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
disloyalty · perfidy · treason · sellout · betrayer · defection · apostasy · unfaithfulness
Scheming political faction
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
machination · conniving · clandestine · covert · cloak-and-dagger · complicity · sedition · maneuvering
Serious threat of harm
- menaceSource of potential harm
- hazardSource of potential harm
- threatIndication of potential harm
- trapDevice for catching animals
snare · pitfall · ambush · jeopardy · risk · quagmire · treacherous · hostile
Sly, strategic dishonesty
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- slynessCunning in manner
artifice · manipulation · chicanery · subterfuge · fraud · pretense · dissembling · feint
betrayal
Breaking of trust
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
turncoat · disloyalty · perfidy · treason · sellout · betrayer · defection · apostasy · unfaithfulness · Judas
cabal
Scheming political faction
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
collusion · machination · conniving · clandestine · covert · cloak-and-dagger · complicity · sedition · maneuvering · conspire
peril
Serious threat of harm
trap · snare · pitfall · ambush · jeopardy · risk · quagmire · treacherous · hostile · malevolent
guile
Sly, strategic dishonesty
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
slyness · artifice · manipulation · chicanery · subterfuge · fraud · pretense · dissembling · feint · hoodwinking
nest of viperssafe haven
Protected place of shelter
sanctuary · refuge · safe harbor · haven · shelter
nest of vipersband of brothers
Warriors bound by loyalty
guardian angels · knights in shining armor · support network · support system
nest of vipersband of brothers
Warriors bound by loyalty
circle of trust · brotherhood · fellowship · support network · council of elders