Snakes are creatures many people know about, but not everyone likes. Some think snakes are scary, while others find them interesting. Because snakes move quietly and sometimes surprise people, they have become a symbol in many sayings. These sayings are called idioms. People use them to describe actions or behaviors that remind them of snakes.
In this article, we’ll look at idioms that use the word “snake” or talk about things snakes do. These phrases don’t really mean there is a snake around. Instead, they help us talk about people or situations in a fun or clever way. You’ll learn what these idioms mean and how to use them in everyday talk. Let’s take a closer look at these interesting expressions.
Idioms About Snakes
1. Snake in the grass
Meaning: A person who pretends to be friendly but is secretly untrustworthy.
Example Sentence:
– Be careful around Jake. He’s a snake in the grass.
– She acted nice, but she was really a snake in the grass.
Other ways to say: Two-faced, backstabber
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from ancient times when snakes hidden in grass would bite without warning.
Usage: Used when someone betrays trust secretly.
2. Snake oil salesman
Meaning: Someone who tries to trick others into buying something useless.
Example Sentence:
– That guy selling miracle cures is just a snake oil salesman.
– Don’t fall for those ads. They’re run by snake oil salesmen.
Other ways to say: Scammer, con artist
Fun Fact/Origin: In the 1800s, fake medicine sellers claimed snake oil could cure anything.
Usage: Used when talking about people who make false promises.
3. Slippery as a snake
Meaning: Hard to catch or trust; sneaky.
Example Sentence:
– He’s as slippery as a snake when answering questions.
– You can’t pin her down—she’s slippery as a snake.
Other ways to say: Sneaky, tricky
Fun Fact/Origin: Snakes slide away quickly, which is why they’re seen as hard to catch.
Usage: Used for people who avoid giving straight answers or are hard to deal with.
4. To have snakes in one’s boots
Meaning: To feel nervous or scared.
Example Sentence:
– I had snakes in my boots before my first big speech.
– He had snakes in his boots before asking his question.
Other ways to say: Scared, nervous
Fun Fact/Origin: Inspired by cowboy tales and movies like “Toy Story.”
Usage: Used to describe feeling afraid.
5. Snake charmer
Meaning: Someone who easily influences others, especially with charm.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a real snake charmer—everyone listens to him.
– That teacher is a snake charmer with her calm voice.
Other ways to say: Persuasive, smooth talker
Fun Fact/Origin: In some places, people really do charm snakes with music.
Usage: Used for people who are good at making others do what they want.
6. Like a snake shedding its skin
Meaning: Changing or pretending to be someone new.
Example Sentence:
– After the fight, he acted like a snake shedding its skin.
– She changed her look like a snake sheds its skin.
Other ways to say: Start over, transform
Fun Fact/Origin: Snakes shed their skin to grow, making it a sign of change.
Usage: Used when someone acts different than before.
7. Speaking with a forked tongue
Meaning: Saying one thing but meaning another; lying.
Example Sentence:
– Don’t trust him. He speaks with a forked tongue.
– She was speaking with a forked tongue to trick us.
Other ways to say: Lying, double-talking
Fun Fact/Origin: Forked tongues are found in snakes, and it became a symbol of lying.
Usage: Used when someone says things that are not honest.
8. Snake pit
Meaning: A very stressful or confusing place.
Example Sentence:
– The cafeteria at lunch felt like a snake pit.
– The meeting turned into a snake pit with everyone yelling.
Other ways to say: Messy situation, chaos
Fun Fact/Origin: A real snake pit is full of snakes, which is a scary idea.
Usage: Used to describe places that feel wild or out of control.
9. Mother of snakes
Meaning: A scary or mean person, often a leader.
Example Sentence:
– Don’t mess with her—she’s the mother of snakes!
– He acted like the mother of snakes at the meeting.
Other ways to say: Harsh leader, mean boss
Fun Fact/Origin: Inspired by myths and legends where snake mothers are powerful.
Usage: Used to describe someone feared or disliked.
10. Snake through
Meaning: To move in and out of tight spaces.
Example Sentence:
– I had to snake through the crowded hallway.
– She snaked through the desks to get to the door.
Other ways to say: Wind through, squeeze by
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on how snakes move in curvy paths.
Usage: Used when describing sneaky or curved movements.
11. Rattle someone’s cage
Meaning: To bother or upset someone on purpose.
Example Sentence:
– Stop rattling his cage; he’s already upset.
– My little brother loves to rattle my cage during movies.
Other ways to say: Tease, annoy
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to snakes in cages that rattle when disturbed.
Usage: Used when someone is poking fun or irritating another.
12. Snake eyes
Meaning: A bad result or complete failure, especially in games.
Example Sentence:
– He rolled snake eyes and lost the game.
– When I saw my grade, it felt like snake eyes.
Other ways to say: Bad luck, unlucky roll
Fun Fact/Origin: In dice, snake eyes are two ones—the worst roll.
Usage: Used when things go badly, especially by chance.
13. Throw someone to the snakes
Meaning: To put someone in danger or blame them unfairly.
Example Sentence:
– They threw me to the snakes instead of taking the blame.
– He was thrown to the snakes after the mistake.
Other ways to say: Blame someone, leave someone out to dry
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from stories of people thrown into snake pits as punishment.
Usage: Used when someone is unfairly blamed or left alone to face trouble.
14. Nest of snakes
Meaning: A group of untrustworthy or mean people.
Example Sentence:
– That group at school is a nest of snakes.
– Be careful—this meeting is a nest of snakes.
Other ways to say: Dangerous group, unfriendly bunch
Fun Fact/Origin: Snakes nesting together give a scary image, often used to describe backstabbing groups.
Usage: Used when a group is mean or full of gossip and secrets.
15. Snake your way out
Meaning: To avoid doing something by being sneaky.
Example Sentence:
– He snaked his way out of doing his chores again.
– Don’t try to snake your way out of this one!
Other ways to say: Avoid, dodge
Fun Fact/Origin: Just like snakes wiggle away, some people try to sneak out of responsibility.
Usage: Used when someone avoids tasks or duties sneakily.
16. As nervous as a snake in a room full of rocking chairs
Meaning: Very nervous or uncomfortable.
Example Sentence:
– I was as nervous as a snake in a room full of rocking chairs.
– She looked as nervous as a snake near kids with sticks.
Other ways to say: Super nervous, scared
Fun Fact/Origin: A snake near rocking chairs could get hurt, so it shows a tense situation.
Usage: Used for times when someone feels really uneasy.
17. Snake away
Meaning: To sneak out or leave quietly.
Example Sentence:
– I snaked away from the boring party.
– He snaked away before anyone noticed.
Other ways to say: Slip away, sneak out
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on how snakes move quietly and are hard to spot.
Usage: Used when someone leaves without drawing attention.
18. Tread on a snake
Meaning: To make a dangerous or risky move.
Example Sentence:
– You’re treading on a snake bringing that up.
– He treaded on a snake when he told the secret.
Other ways to say: Take a risk, step into danger
Fun Fact/Origin: Stepping on a snake can be dangerous—this idiom warns of trouble.
Usage: Used when someone does something risky.
19. Pet the snake
Meaning: To trust someone dangerous.
Example Sentence:
– You’re petting the snake by trusting him again.
– Don’t pet the snake—she’s fooled you before.
Other ways to say: Trust the wrong person, take a risk
Fun Fact/Origin: Petting a real snake can be dangerous, especially if it’s not tame.
Usage: Used when someone trusts someone they shouldn’t.
20. Snake-fanged
Meaning: Mean, sharp-tongued, or very rude.
Example Sentence:
– Her snake-fanged comments hurt his feelings.
– That snake-fanged kid keeps teasing others.
Other ways to say: Rude, hurtful
Fun Fact/Origin: Snakes use fangs to bite; this idiom refers to hurtful words.
Usage: Used when someone speaks cruelly.
21. Hiss like a snake
Meaning: To speak in a mean or angry whisper.
Example Sentence:
– He hissed like a snake when he got mad.
– She hissed like a snake at her brother.
Other ways to say: Whisper angrily, talk with spite
Fun Fact/Origin: Snakes hiss when they feel threatened.
Usage: Used when someone speaks with anger or annoyance.
22. Dance with snakes
Meaning: To take part in something dangerous or sneaky.
Example Sentence:
– He danced with snakes by joining that gang.
– She’s dancing with snakes trying to trick the teacher.
Other ways to say: Get into trouble, play with danger
Fun Fact/Origin: Playing or dancing with snakes is dangerous—it shows poor choices.
Usage: Used for bad or risky behavior.
23. Cold as a snake
Meaning: Uncaring or without emotion.
Example Sentence:
– He was cold as a snake when she cried.
– That answer was as cold as a snake’s skin.
Other ways to say: Heartless, unkind
Fun Fact/Origin: Snakes are cold-blooded animals, often seen as unfriendly.
Usage: Used when someone shows no feelings.
24. Like a snake in the room
Meaning: Something dangerous or unspoken is nearby.
Example Sentence:
– The tension was like a snake in the room.
– That secret felt like a snake in the room no one wanted to talk about.
Other ways to say: Unspoken problem, hidden danger
Fun Fact/Origin: Just like you’d worry if a snake were in the room, this idiom shows hidden tension.
Usage: Used when people avoid talking about something important or uncomfortable.
25. Step on a snake and don’t look back
Meaning: Deal with a problem and move on.
Example Sentence:
– He stepped on the snake and didn’t look back after quitting.
– She stepped on a snake by telling the truth and kept walking.
Other ways to say: Face your fears, take action
Fun Fact/Origin: Stepping on a snake shows bravery—this phrase means doing what’s needed.
Usage: Used when someone does the right thing, even if it’s tough.
Quiz: Idioms About Snakes
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “snake in the grass” mean?
A) A fun friend at school
B) Someone who can’t be trusted
C) A person who likes animals
2. If someone is called a “snake oil salesman,” what does that mean?
A) They sell good products
B) They are a good speaker
C) They try to trick people
3. What does “slippery as a snake” describe?
A) Someone who plays sports well
B) Someone who is hard to catch or trust
C) Someone who is always tired
4. What does it mean to “snake your way out” of something?
A) To get out by being sneaky
B) To ask nicely to leave
C) To get stuck and not escape
5. What does “cold as a snake” mean?
A) Someone who is friendly
B) Someone who is kind
C) Someone who doesn’t care about others
6. If someone is “speaking with a forked tongue,” what are they doing?
A) Telling the truth
B) Being confusing
C) Lying or tricking others
7. What is a “snake pit” used to describe?
A) A quiet park
B) A messy or scary place
C) A zoo with snakes
8. If a person “dances with snakes,” what are they doing?
A) Playing it safe
B) Taking part in something risky
C) Practicing for a dance
9. What does it mean to “snake through” a crowd?
A) Jump over people
B) Leave the area
C) Move in and out quietly
10. What does “pet the snake” mean?
A) Hug your pet snake
B) Trust someone who may hurt you
C) Visit a zoo
Answer Key
- B) Someone who can’t be trusted
- C) They try to trick people
- B) Someone who is hard to catch or trust
- A) To get out by being sneaky
- C) Someone who doesn’t care about others
- C) Lying or tricking others
- B) A messy or scary place
- B) Taking part in something risky
- C) Move in and out quietly
Wrapping Up
Snake idioms help us describe tricky people, tough spots, or sneaky moves in a fun way. They use how snakes behave to explain actions we see in real life. Some idioms warn us to be careful, while others help us talk about change, risk, or danger.
Now that you’ve learned 25 snake idioms, try using them in your own talking or writing. These phrases make everyday ideas more interesting and clear. Just remember—watch out for snakes in the grass!
