show the cloven foot en · VERB
Etymology
Satan is depicted as having cloven feet.
Meanings
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(intransitive) To reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it.
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.
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:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| shown the cloven foot | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| shows the cloven foot | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| showing the cloven foot | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| showed the cloven foot | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Relateds
Synonyms
Translations (10)
pl pokazać swoje prawdziwe oblicze (to reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it) · fr montrer son vrai visage (to reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it) · fr montrer ses vraies couleurs (to reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it) · fi näyttää todellinen karvansa (to reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it) · fi näyttää todelliset karvansa (to reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it) · fr se montrer sous son vrai jour (to reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it) · pl pokazywać swoje prawdziwe oblicze (to reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it) · hu kimutatja a foga fehérjét (to reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it) · hu kibújik a szög a zsákból (to reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it) · hu kilóg a lóláb (to reveal a devilish character or an evil purpose, despite attempts to disguise it)