little foxes, the: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, formal, proverbial
Quick answer
What does “little foxes, the” mean?
A phrase derived from a biblical reference, now commonly used metaphorically to refer to small, persistent problems or minor destructive elements that can cause significant damage over time if not addressed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A phrase derived from a biblical reference, now commonly used metaphorically to refer to small, persistent problems or minor destructive elements that can cause significant damage over time if not addressed.
It metaphorically describes seemingly insignificant but corrosive issues, people, or habits that undermine a larger system, relationship, or project. Can also refer to hidden or overlooked causes of trouble.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Recognized in both varieties due to its biblical/literary origin.
Connotations
Conveys a slightly archaic, wise, or poetic tone. May carry a moral or cautionary implication.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects. More likely encountered in written texts, sermons, or formal speeches than in casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “little foxes, the” in a Sentence
[Subject: The little foxes] [Verb: spoil] [Object: the vines/plans/relationship]Beware of [the little foxes]It is the [little foxes] that [undermine/cause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “little foxes, the” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The project was **foxed** by a series of minor budget cuts over time.
- Don't let those details **fox** the whole endeavour.
American English
- Corruption **foxes** the foundations of democracy through countless tiny acts.
- Their agreement was slowly **foxed** by unmet minor promises.
adverb
British English
- The system failed **foxily**, not with a bang but with a thousand small leaks.
- Problems accumulated **in a little-fox manner**.
American English
- The rumors spread **foxily**, undermining her credibility bit by bit.
- The policy was eroded **like little foxes gnawing**.
adjective
British English
- They faced a **fox-like** erosion of public trust.
- It was a **little-fox** problem, easy to ignore but ultimately fatal.
American English
- The team identified a **fox-in-the-vineyard** scenario in the supply chain.
- He had a **little-fox** habit of interrupting people.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to warn against neglecting small inefficiencies, minor compliance issues, or low-level employee dissatisfaction that can grow into major crises.
Academic
Used in literary criticism (referencing the Song of Solomon or works like Lillian Hellman's play 'The Little Foxes'), sociology, or systems theory to discuss small-scale disruptive forces.
Everyday
Rare in casual speech. Might be used to describe minor but persistent marital disagreements, small bad habits, or recurring domestic annoyances.
Technical
Not used in technical fields like engineering or medicine, except possibly in metaphorical management or systems analysis discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “little foxes, the”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “little foxes, the”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “little foxes, the”
- Using it to refer to literal foxes. ('I saw the little foxes in the garden.')
- Using 'small foxes' instead of the fixed phrase 'little foxes'.
- Forgetting the definite article 'the'. It's almost always 'the little foxes'.
- Using it to describe a single major problem.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originates from the Bible, Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) 2:15: 'Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.'
It would be a very specific, metaphorical, and potentially negative usage (e.g., implying the children are cute but destructively mischievous). It's not a standard or common synonym for children.
No, it is a low-frequency, literary, or proverbial phrase. Most people will understand its metaphorical meaning in context, but it is not part of everyday vocabulary.
'A little fox' could be interpreted literally. 'The little foxes' (almost always plural and with 'the') is the fixed metaphorical phrase referring to a category of small, destructive problems.
A phrase derived from a biblical reference, now commonly used metaphorically to refer to small, persistent problems or minor destructive elements that can cause significant damage over time if not addressed.
Little foxes, the is usually literary, formal, proverbial in register.
Little foxes, the: in British English it is pronounced /ðə ˈlɪtl ˈfɒksɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ðə ˈlɪtl ˈfɑːksɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The little foxes that spoil the vines.”
- “It's the little foxes you have to watch out for.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a beautiful vineyard (your big project/goal). Tiny foxes are too small to destroy it at once, but each night they nibble at the roots (the small problems). Over time, the whole vineyard dies.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMALL PROBLEMS ARE DESTRUCTIVE VERMIN / NEGLECT IS ALLOWING CORROSION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the phrase 'the little foxes' be LEAST appropriate?