Fox in the henhouse Meaning in English
expression
التعريف
This expression refers to placing someone untrustworthy or dangerous in a situation where they can easily cause harm, especially when given access or responsibility they might abuse.
الاستخدام والفروق الدقيقة
Used metaphorically, not literally. Common in business, politics, or security contexts. Implies a bad idea—giving power or access to someone who is likely to abuse it. Sometimes shortened: 'put a fox in charge of the henhouse.' Watch for confusion with literal animal references; here, it's always figurative.
جمل نموذجية
Making him treasurer was like putting a fox in the henhouse.
basic
Leaving the money with him is a fox in the henhouse situation.
basic
Hiring someone with a criminal record to manage security is like a fox in the henhouse.
basic
Putting a corrupt official in charge of the funds? That's a total fox in the henhouse move.
natural
When he joined the team, it felt like having a fox in the henhouse—nobody trusted him from day one.
natural
You don’t want to let the IT guy with a hacking history near your passwords—that’s inviting the fox in the henhouse.
natural