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A Wolf In The Fold

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A deceitful or treacherous individual concealed within a trusted group; in literary contexts, this phrase evokes themes of betrayal, paranoia, and the sudden unraveling of communal safety.

Detailed Definition
This variant places the predator among sheep and inside their protective enclosure. In verse, the wolf may be a traitor, corrupt leader, abusive relative, or dangerous idea welcomed as a friend. The fold carries religious and pastoral associations, making betrayal feel especially intimate: the threat is not outside the gate but breathing beside the innocent.
Example
Example in poetry:
The charming stranger is a wolf in the fold who flatters the village before stealing its grain; The poem’s silver-tongued prophet is a wolf in the fold among the grieving mourners; Beneath the gentle mask, the ruler is a wolf in the fold, feeding on the people’s fear; The lamb senses that the smiling shepherd is a wolf in the fold
Additional Notes
A wolf in the fold is a dangerous or disloyal person hiding among trusted members of a group. The image contrasts a predator with vulnerable sheep inside a protected enclosure. Related ideas include hidden enemy, infiltrator, and betrayal from within.
Also Known As
A Wolf Among The Sheep
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