show the cloven foot
English
Etymology
Satan is depicted as having cloven feet.
Verb
show the cloven foot (third-person singular simple present shows the cloven foot, present participle showing the cloven foot, simple past showed the cloven foot, past participle shown the cloven foot)
- (intransitive) To reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it.
- 1852, “The Marriage of Johnny Beedle”, in Traits of American humour, by native authors, ed. and adapted by the author of 'Sam Slick'., page 77:
- Well, I went over to the Squire's, pretty well satisfied in my own mind; so, after flattering and crowing about her a little while, I up and shew the cloven foot.
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Synonyms
- show the cloven hoof