nourish a viper in one's bosom

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English

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Etymology

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From Aesop's fable The Farmer and the Viper.

Verb

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nourish a viper in one's bosom (third-person singular simple present nourishes a viper in one's bosom, present participle nourishing a viper in one's bosom, simple past and past participle nourished a viper in one's bosom)

  1. (idiomatic) To do acts of kindness that will be met with ingratitude and will cause one harm in the end.
    Synonym: cherish a snake in one's bosom

Translations

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