nourish a viper in (one's) bosom



nourish 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 nourished 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 nourished 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, nourish, viper

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
MichaelMIE-kəl (English), MI-khah-el (German), MEE-kah-el (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish)English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Czech, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Lulu (2)-Arabic
ÉLie-French
Concepta-Irish
Alexandros-Greek, Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek, Greek Mythology
Olufunke-Western African, Yoruba