Some people smile in front of you but talk behind your back. These kinds of people are called fake friends. They might act kind but don’t mean it. You can’t always tell who is real and who is pretending. That’s why we use special ways to describe them. One way is through metaphors.
Metaphors are word pictures. They help us show what fake friends are like, without saying it directly. These phrases compare people to things that explain how they act. A fake friend might be called a “snake in the grass” or “a mask with a smile.” These pictures help us understand who they are. In this article, we’ll look at some easy and fun metaphors that show what fake friends are like. Let’s begin.
Metaphors about Fake Friends
1. A snake in the grass
Meaning: Someone who hides bad plans behind a friendly face.
Within a Sentence: She acted nice, but she was a snake in the grass. / That boy was a snake in the grass during our group project.
In Other Words: Pretends to be kind but can’t be trusted. / Sneaky and not really a friend.
2. A wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: Someone who looks harmless but is dangerous.
Within a Sentence: He seemed sweet, but he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. / I didn’t know she was a wolf in sheep’s clothing until she told my secret.
In Other Words: Hides bad behavior with a friendly look. / Looks good but isn’t.
3. A shadow with a smile
Meaning: Someone who stays close but brings trouble.
Within a Sentence: That fake friend was just a shadow with a smile. / He was always near me, like a shadow with a smile.
In Other Words: Looks like a friend but causes problems. / Pretends to care.
4. A mirror that lies
Meaning: Someone who shows you what you want to see but isn’t honest.
Within a Sentence: She was a mirror that lies, always agreeing but not being real. / He was a mirror that lies and told me what I wanted to hear.
In Other Words: Not truthful. / Says nice things but doesn’t mean them.
5. A paper friend
Meaning: A friend who looks real but isn’t strong.
Within a Sentence: He was a paper friend gone when things got hard. / A paper friend is only around when it’s easy.
In Other Words: Weak friendship. / Not there when you need help.
6. A mask with a smile
Meaning: Someone who hides their real self with fake kindness.
Within a Sentence: That girl was a mask with a smile. / His words were sweet, but he wore a mask with a smile.
In Other Words: Hides their true self. / Not really kind.
7. A plastic buddy
Meaning: A friend who seems fun but is fake.
Within a Sentence: He’s just a plastic buddy fun at recess, gone later. / She’s a plastic buddy who only likes me when others aren’t around.
In Other Words: Pretends to be close. / Not true or strong.
8. A broken promise in a hoodie
Meaning: A person who never keeps their word.
Within a Sentence: That fake friend was just a broken promise in a hoodie. / She said she’d help, but she was a broken promise in a hoodie.
In Other Words: Doesn’t keep promises. / Says one thing, does another.
9. A cardboard pal
Meaning: Someone who is flat and weak when tested.
Within a Sentence: He was a cardboard pal he couldn’t stand the truth. / A cardboard pal folds under pressure.
In Other Words: Not strong or honest. / Easy to break trust with.
10. A smile with sharp teeth
Meaning: Someone who acts nice but is ready to hurt you.
Within a Sentence: Her smile had sharp teeth she laughed, then told my secret. / He had a smile with sharp teeth and made fun of me later.
In Other Words: Fake kind. / Pretends to be nice but isn’t.
11. A backdoor breeze
Meaning: Someone who slips away when things get hard.
Within a Sentence: When I needed help, he was a backdoor breeze. / A backdoor breeze leaves when trouble starts.
In Other Words: Disappears fast. / Not around in tough times.
12. A candy shell
Meaning: Sweet on the outside, empty inside.
Within a Sentence: Her kindness was like a candy shell. / He was a candy shell nice words, no care.
In Other Words: Just sweet talk. / Nothing true inside.
13. A flashlight with no battery
Meaning: Tries to be helpful but fails when needed.
Within a Sentence: I called her, but she was a flashlight with no battery. / He’s like a flashlight with no battery no help at all.
In Other Words: Doesn’t work when it matters. / Not dependable.
14. A cloud that blocks the sun
Meaning: Brings down your happiness.
Within a Sentence: He was like a cloud that blocked my sun. / Her fake friendship was a dark cloud.
In Other Words: Makes things worse. / Brings sadness.
15. A balloon full of air
Meaning: Looks big but has nothing inside.
Within a Sentence: He was a balloon full of air just talk. / Her support was like a balloon full of air.
In Other Words: Empty promises. / All show, no help.
16. A puzzle piece that doesn’t fit
Meaning: Pretends to belong but doesn’t.
Within a Sentence: She was a puzzle piece that didn’t fit. / He never really fit just acted like he did.
In Other Words: Doesn’t belong. / Not real.
17. A tree with fake fruit
Meaning: Seems to offer something but doesn’t.
Within a Sentence: His kindness was a tree with fake fruit. / She was nice, but it was fake fruit.
In Other Words: Pretends to be good. / Not useful or true.
18. A whisper in a storm
Meaning: Says kind things when it doesn’t matter.
Within a Sentence: When I cried, she was a whisper in a storm. / He said sorry, but it was just a whisper in a storm.
In Other Words: Too little. / Not enough to help.
19. A locked door with a welcome sign
Meaning: Pretends to be open but isn’t.
Within a Sentence: He was a locked door with a welcome sign. / I knocked, but she never let me in just a locked door.
In Other Words: Fake welcome. / Closed heart.
20. A fire with no heat
Meaning: Looks warm but isn’t helpful.
Within a Sentence: His friendship was a fire with no heat. / She smiled, but it was cold a fire with no warmth.
In Other Words: No comfort. / Doesn’t care.
21. A bridge that breaks
Meaning: Someone you trust who lets you down.
Within a Sentence: I thought I could trust him, but he was a bridge that breaks. / She said she’d stand by me, but she was a broken bridge.
In Other Words: Can’t rely on. / Trust fails.
22. A game with no rules
Meaning: Acts like a friend but changes things to win.
Within a Sentence: His friendship was like a game with no rules. / She made up the rules just like a game with no rules.
In Other Words: Unfair. / Always changing.
23. A phone with no signal
Meaning: Never answers when you need them.
Within a Sentence: I called and texted, but she was like a phone with no signal. / He’s never there just like a phone that won’t work.
In Other Words: Never replies. / Hard to reach.
24. A boat with a hole
Meaning: Someone who looks helpful but sinks when times get hard.
Within a Sentence: He seemed helpful, but he was a boat with a hole. / Her help didn’t last she was a sinking boat.
In Other Words: Can’t stay strong. / Falls apart.
25. A hug with thorns
Meaning: Pretends to be loving but hurts you.
Within a Sentence: Her hug had thorns. / He smiled, but it was a hug with thorns.
In Other Words: Not safe. / Hurts behind kindness.
26. A shadow that copies
Meaning: Follows you but doesn’t stand up for you.
Within a Sentence: He was just a shadow that copies. / She acted like me but didn’t support me.
In Other Words: Fake follower. / No real care.
27. A picture with no frame
Meaning: Something that looks okay but is missing support.
Within a Sentence: That friendship was a picture with no frame. / It looked nice, but it didn’t hold up.
In Other Words: Missing strength. / No backup.
28. A smile that fades
Meaning: Pretends to be nice but stops caring quickly.
Within a Sentence: She had a smile that faded fast. / His kindness disappeared a fading smile.
In Other Words: Not lasting. / Fake caring.
29. A mirror that cracks
Meaning: Someone who shows the truth at first but then breaks trust.
Within a Sentence: I saw myself in him, then the mirror cracked. / She cracked like a mirror when I needed her.
In Other Words: Once seemed honest. / Now broken.
30. A gift with nothing inside
Meaning: Looks exciting but has no real value.
Within a Sentence: Her friendship was a gift with nothing inside. / I unwrapped it and found nothing.
In Other Words: Just show. / No meaning.
31. A book with blank pages
Meaning: Pretends to be full of stories, but is empty.
Within a Sentence: He acted deep, but he was a book with blank pages. / She promised so much, but gave nothing.
In Other Words: Nothing real. / All empty.
32. A handshake with fingers crossed
Meaning: Someone who lies while acting honest.
Within a Sentence: He made a deal with crossed fingers. / Her handshake wasn’t true.
In Other Words: Liar. / Not real.
33. A cloud with fake rain
Meaning: Pretends to care but doesn’t really feel it.
Within a Sentence: Her tears were like a cloud with fake rain. / He faked being sad.
In Other Words: Not real emotion. / Pretends to care.
34. A key that doesn’t turn
Meaning: Seems like a solution, but doesn’t help.
Within a Sentence: He had the answer but wouldn’t help. / A key that won’t turn can’t open anything.
In Other Words: Useless. / Won’t work.
35. A coat with holes
Meaning: Tries to protect but fails.
Within a Sentence: Her help was like a coat with holes I still got cold. / He didn’t cover me when I needed it.
In Other Words: Doesn’t help enough. / Weak support.
36. A wave that pulls you down
Meaning: Seems nice but makes things worse.
Within a Sentence: His friendship was a wave that pulled me under. / She dragged me into trouble.
In Other Words: Hurts instead of helps. / Dangerous.
37. A song with no tune
Meaning: Looks fun but has no joy.
Within a Sentence: Her laugh sounded fake like a song with no tune. / His words meant nothing.
In Other Words: Flat. / Empty feeling.
38. A trail that leads nowhere
Meaning: Starts out friendly but ends in nothing.
Within a Sentence: She was a trail to nowhere. / I followed, but he left me lost.
In Other Words: No good ending. / Not helpful.
39. A doorbell with no ring
Meaning: Seems to be there, but doesn’t respond.
Within a Sentence: I knocked, but she never answered just a silent bell. / He looked like a friend but stayed quiet.
In Other Words: No reply. / Can’t reach.
40. A cup with a leak
Meaning: Can’t hold anything real.
Within a Sentence: Her kindness always leaked out. / His friendship couldn’t hold up.
In Other Words: Doesn’t last. / Breaks quickly.
41. A handshake made of smoke
Meaning: Can’t be trusted or held.
Within a Sentence: He promised, but it was smoke. / Her help disappeared.
In Other Words: Fake deal. / No real promise.
42. A map with no directions
Meaning: Confusing and not helpful.
Within a Sentence: Her advice was like a map with no signs. / He gave no clear answers.
In Other Words: Doesn’t guide. / Useless.
43. A clock that won’t tick
Meaning: Doesn’t work when needed.
Within a Sentence: He was a clock that stopped. / She was never on time for me.
In Other Words: Late. / Not reliable.
44. A tower made of sand
Meaning: Looks strong but falls fast.
Within a Sentence: His promises were like sand towers. / She seemed steady, but fell apart.
In Other Words: Weak. / Breaks easily.
45. A rainbow with no color
Meaning: Looks hopeful but is empty.
Within a Sentence: Her friendship was a dull rainbow. / His smile had no color.
In Other Words: Not bright. / Lacks joy.
46. A rope that snaps
Meaning: Breaks under pressure.
Within a Sentence: He said he’d help, then snapped like a rope. / She couldn’t hold on.
In Other Words: Fails quickly. / No support.
47. A smile behind a wall
Meaning: Acts happy but hides true feelings.
Within a Sentence: She smiled, but I could tell there was a wall. / He wasn’t open.
In Other Words: Hiding. / Not honest.
48. A net with holes
Meaning: Can’t catch or hold anything.
Within a Sentence: His help was like a net with holes. / She couldn’t keep a secret.
In Other Words: Not strong. / Leaks trust.
49. A stage with no play
Meaning: Pretends to have something real but doesn’t.
Within a Sentence: His friendship was all stage no story. / She acted kind but said nothing.
In Other Words: All act. / No truth.
50. A flashlight that points away
Meaning: Avoids helping.
Within a Sentence: When I needed light, he pointed away. / She looked the other way.
In Other Words: No help. / Turns from trouble.
51. A tree with roots in sand
Meaning: Not grounded or steady.
Within a Sentence: Her friendship blew over fast. / He had no roots.
In Other Words: Falls easily. / Not strong.
52. A star that burns out
Meaning: Shines for a moment then disappears.
Within a Sentence: He was bright and then gone. / Her care didn’t last.
In Other Words: Short-term. / Not lasting.
53. A jacket with no warmth
Meaning: Says they care but doesn’t feel like it.
Within a Sentence: Her hug was cold. / His kindness didn’t warm me.
In Other Words: Not comforting. / Feels fake.
54. A circle with a gap
Meaning: A friendship that’s not complete.
Within a Sentence: There was always something missing. / Our circle had a hole.
In Other Words: Not whole. / Missing real connection.
55. A hug with a push
Meaning: Pretends to pull you in but pushes you away.
Within a Sentence: She hugged me, then left me out. / His kindness pushed me back.
In Other Words: Mixed signals. / Not true.
56. A mirror covered in dust
Meaning: Can’t see what’s real.
Within a Sentence: Her friendship was dusty I couldn’t see the truth. / He hid behind dust.
In Other Words: Not clear. / Hides reality.
57. A kite with no string
Meaning: Can’t stay close or controlled.
Within a Sentence: His friendship flew away. / She was a kite that got lost.
In Other Words: Not grounded. / Out of reach.
58. A backpack full of bricks
Meaning: Hard to carry and full of trouble.
Within a Sentence: Being her friend felt heavy. / He brought me down.
In Other Words: Drains energy. / Not fun.
59. A whisper that lies
Meaning: Quiet but not honest.
Within a Sentence: She said it softly, but it was a lie. / He whispered things that weren’t true.
In Other Words: Sneaky. / Not honest.
60. A shadow that disappears
Meaning: Only with you sometimes.
Within a Sentence: When I turned, she was gone. / He faded like a shadow.
In Other Words: Not there when needed. / Vanishes.
True/False Quiz – Metaphors About Fake Friends
- A “snake in the grass” is someone who is always helpful and honest.
- A “mask with a smile” means someone who hides their real feelings.
- A “gift with nothing inside” shows real kindness and care.
- A “hug with thorns” might look nice but ends up hurting you.
- A “phone with no signal” is a person who always listens and helps.
- A “mirror that cracks” means someone who seems honest but breaks your trust.
- A “balloon full of air” is filled with strong support and love.
- A “cloud that blocks the sun” is someone who brings joy.
- A “book with blank pages” means the person has nothing real to offer.
- A “rope that snaps” means someone who sticks by you during hard times.
- A “shadow that disappears” means the friend is always with you no matter what.
- A “coat with holes” doesn’t give the protection you need.
- A “star that burns out” means a friendship that fades away quickly.
- A “jacket with no warmth” means someone makes you feel safe and loved.
- A “map with no directions” means a person who confuses you and doesn’t help.
Answer Key:
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide:
- 15 Correct Answers: Metaphors Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Metaphors nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Metaphors together!
Conclusion
Fake friends are hard to spot at first. They may act nice, but their actions show the truth. Metaphors help us talk about these tricky people in a smart and simple way. These pictures with words show how fake friends behave without needing long explanations.
Now that you know these metaphors, try noticing how people talk about trust and friendship. Using these phrases in stories or real life can help you express yourself clearly. And remember real friends don’t hide behind masks or disappear when you need them. Keep learning and keep choosing good friends.
