fine wolf Thành ngữ, tục ngữ
a wolf in sheep's clothing
an evil person who looks innocent The priest looked harmless, but he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.
cry wolf
give a false alarm, warn of a danger that is not there He is crying wolf. There is no real danger or worry about the electrical system causing a fire.
keep the wolf from the door
keep us fed, prevent hunger This cheque will keep the wolf from the door. We can buy food.
the wolf is at the door
poverty is coming, keep the wolf... A month after my husband lost his job, the wolf was at the door.
the wolf knocking
(See the wolf is at the door)
wolf down
eat quickly, inhale The boys wolfed down their lunch and ran out to play soccer.
wolf in sheep
a person who pretends to be good but really is bad Be careful of that man. He is a wolf in sheep
wolf in sheep's clothing
(See a wolf in sheep's clothing)
Keep the wolf at bay
If you keep the wolf at bay, you make enough money to avoid going hungry or falling heavily into debt.
cry wolf|cry|wolf
v. phr. To give a false alarm; warn of a danger that you know is not there.
The general said that the candidate was just crying wolf when he said that the army was too weak to fight for the country. (From an old story about a shepherd boy who falsely claimed a wolf was killing his sheep, just to start some excitement.)
keep the wolf from the door|door|from the door|kee
v. phr. To avoid hunger, poverty, and/or creditors.
"I don't like my job," Mike complained, "but I must do something to keep the wolves from the door." Compare: KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER.
lone wolf|lone|wolf
n. A man who likes to work or live alone.
The man who paints a picture or establishes a business is often a lone wolf; so is the criminal outlaw. Jones is a good pitcher, but he is a lone wolf.
throw one to the wolves|throw|wolf|wolves
v. phr. 1. To turn someone into a scapegoat.
In order to explain the situation to the media, the governor blamed the mayor and threw him to the wolves. 2. To send into danger without protection.
Mary was very shy. Her friends did not come to speak before the club in her place. They threw her to the wolves. The boys on the football team were so small that when they played a good team they were thrown to the wolves.
wolf in sheep's clothing|clothing|sheep|wolf
n. phr. A person who pretends to be good but really is bad.
Mrs. Martin trusted the lawyer until she realized that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Mr. Black was fooled by the salesman's manners until he showed that he was really a wolf in sheep's clothing by selling Mr. Black a car that was falling apart.
lone wolf
lone wolf A person who prefers to do without the company or assistance of others. For example,
Her nursery school teacher described Beth as a lone wolf, an assessment her parents found astonishing. This expression alludes to the tendency of some species of wolf to hunt alone rather than in packs. [c. 1900]
wolf
wolf In addition to the idiom beginning with
wolf, also see
cry wolf;
keep the wolf from the door;
lone wolf.
fine wolf
n. a adult or adorable man. (Streets.) Who is that accomplished wolf I apparent you with aftermost night? Learn more: fine, wolf