What does “Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse)” mean?
"Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse)" means a person with bad intentions or someone who is untrustworthy in a situation where they have the opportunity to cause harm or take advantage.
What context can I use the in?
Example
We need to be careful not to let any foxes in the henhouse during this business deal.
Example
I suspect that there may be a fox in the henhouse within our organization leaking confidential information.
Example
The politician was accused of being a fox in the henhouse after it was discovered he had been accepting bribes
Is “Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse)” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse)” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse)” effectively in context?
You can use "Fox in the Henhouse" to warn others about the presence of someone who may be untrustworthy or have ulterior motives. Here are three distinct situations where you can effectively use this phrase:
- 1Business
We need to be careful not to let any foxes in the henhouse during this business deal.
- 2Organization
I suspect that there may be a fox in the henhouse within our organization leaking confidential information.
- 3Politics
The politician was accused of being a fox in the henhouse after it was discovered he had been accepting bribes.
Similar phrases to “Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse)”:
Trojan horse
Something or someone that appears harmless but is intended to deceive or cause harm
Example
The new employee turned out to be a Trojan horse, leaking sensitive information to our competitors.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse)” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Fox in the Henhouse" is unknown. However, it is believed to have originated from the behavior of foxes, which are known for sneaking into henhouses to prey on chickens. The phrase is used metaphorically to describe a person with bad intentions or someone who is untrustworthy in a situation where they have the opportunity to cause harm or take advantage.
Is “Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse)” common in everyday conversation?
"Fox in the Henhouse" is a moderately common idiom in everyday conversation. It is often used to express suspicion or caution about someone's intentions or actions.
What tone does “Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse)” have?
"Fox in the Henhouse" conveys a tone of warning and suspicion. It is used to highlight the presence of someone who may be untrustworthy or have malicious intentions.
Can “Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse)” be used in informal and formal settings?
"Fox in the Henhouse" is commonly used in informal conversations. However, it can also be used in more formal settings, such as business meetings or discussions about organizational integrity.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'We need to be cautious and make sure there are no "foxes in the henhouse".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Watch out for "foxes in the henhouse"!' to imply the presence of untrustworthy individuals.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- untrustworthy person
- deceptive individual
- malicious actor
- dishonest opportunist
- sly infiltrator
Antonyms
- trustworthy person
- honest individual
- transparent actor
- reliable opportunist
- open infiltrator
