nurture a viper in (one's) bosom



nurture a viper in (one's) bosom

To befriend, look after, or take care of someone who proves to be traitorous, untrustworthy, deceitful, or ungrateful. I thought the profligate had seen the light and was seeking redemption, and so I took him into my care. But before long, I knew I had nurtured a viper in my bosom, as I awoke one morning to find myself robbed blind! I thought our love was not only mutual but indestructible; and yet, I have nurtured a viper in my bosom all these years: my darling husband has cast me out and run off with a younger woman.
See also: bosom, nurture, viper

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Ken (2)kenJapanese
Coulter['kəultə]
AukustiOW-koos-teeFinnish
Tevye-Yiddish
Georgi-Bulgarian
Deodato-Portuguese