Looks can be deceiving! But is there a word or phrase in English that encapsulates something that appears good but is, deep down, extremely problematic?
We’ve provided a list of great words and phrases for this idea below. So, read on!
Words for Something That Seems Good but Is Actually Bad
- A poisoned chalice
- Specious
- A wolf in sheep’s clothing
- Fool’s gold
- A poisoned apple
- Devil in disguise
- Hollow bunny
- Disappointment
- A pig in a poke
- Good from far but far from good
- A gold shield
- A chocolate teapot
- A mirage
- Wonderclout
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “A poisoned chalice” is something, usually a gift or award, that appears good but contains something that will do terrible harm to the receiver.
- You can call something that is deceptively attractive but secretly sinister “specious.”
- “A wolf in sheep’s clothing” is a biblical expression that refers to someone who appears kind and mild-mannered but is actually very evil.
Keep reading! In the next section, we’ll discuss our top three words and phrases for something that seems good but is actually bad in more detail.
We’ll even show you some example sentences using each of our choices.
A Poisoned Chalice
If you’re unsure what to call something that looks pleasant or attractive physically but has harmful effects, you can go with the phrase “a poisoned chalice.”
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, “a poisoned chalice” is “ something that seems very good when it is first received, but in fact, does great harm to the person who receives it.”
It is also used to refer to an award that someone received that has insidious consequences for them. This phrase comes from Shakespeare’s 1606 play, Macbeth.
A chalice is a large, often decorative cup. Therefore, this phrase literally refers to when someone is handed a drink in an attractive vessel. Little do they know; the contents of that cup will probably kill them!
Figuratively, you can use this phrase to refer to anything that appears good and attractive but actually contains some danger.
Therefore, let’s see it in a couple of example sentences:
O’Connor’s leadership turned out to be a poisoned chalice; he gave us all hope before leading us into an unwinnable battle, and the destruction was devastating.
Wealth is a poisoned chalice, and the most powerful people in our society are a testament to that.
Specious
One word for something that looks good but is bad is “specious.” According to Merriam-Webster, something “specious” is described as “having deceptive attraction or allure.”
This term comes from the Latin term “speciosus,” meaning “good-looking,” “beautiful,” or “fair.” However, it has obtained certain negative connotations in English.
Often, we use it to describe something that seems true but is, in fact, a lie. For example, someone could make a very convincing argument about a topic. However, upon further inspection, you realize that the “facts” on which they have based their argument are completely without merit.
We can also use it to describe something or someone who puts out an image of honesty and genuineness while having sinister motivations.
Have a look at the examples below to see this phrase in action:
I couldn’t tell you where Mr. Drew went, but I have heard that he took a specious interest in Mrs. Pernick’s oldest daughter, to the great displeasure of the family.
Miss Keen made some specious arguments that appeared to promote the interests of women, but it has become apparent that her rhetoric is driven by hatred and fear.
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
The phrase “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” is an idiomatic expression that comes from the New Testament of the Bible.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, this phrase refers to “a person with a pleasant and friendly appearance that hides the fact that they are evil.”
In the Bible, a version of this phrase was used to warn people about false prophets who claim to have good intentions but really seek power and control.
It has since been used to describe a person who appears mild-mannered and friendly but is secretly very cunning and conniving.
In this metaphor, we all are a flock of sheep. The wolf is trying to look like one of our flock to gain our trust. Similarly, an evil person will often gain others’ trust in order to manipulate them.
Check out the following example sentences:
Mr. Drew was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, using his position as a teacher to gain my trust so he could get to my daughter.
You will soon learn that the man you look to for leadership is nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing, using you as pawns in his battle so he may carry out his own selfish agenda.