a serpent in (one's) bosom



a serpent in (one's) bosom

Someone whom one has befriended, taken care of, or treated well but proves to be traitorous, untrustworthy, deceitful, or ungrateful. (A less common variant of "a viper in one's bosom." Used especially in the phrase "nourish/nurse/nurture a serpent in one's bosom.") Well, it turns out that Margaret was quite a serpent in my bosom. I put my neck on the line to get her a job in our company, and then she turns around and tries to get me fired! I thought our love was not only mutual but indestructible; and yet, I have nursed a serpent in my bosom all these years: my darling husband has cast me out and run off with a younger woman.
See also: bosom, serpent

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Sa'd-Arabic
Toufik-Arabic
EveretteEV-ə-rit, ev-ə-RETEnglish
Swanahilda-Ancient Germanic
Marcius-Ancient Roman
ZekerİYa-Turkish