crazy like a fox

Idioms and Phrases

Seemingly foolish but actually very shrewd and cunning. For example, You think Bob was crazy to turn it down? He's crazy like a fox, because they've now doubled their offer . This usage gained currency when humorist S.J. Perelman used it as the title of a book (1944). [Early 1900s] .

Example Sentences

Trump was either psychologically a kleptomaniac by taking the top-secret papers down to Mar-a-Lago or he's crazy like a fox.

From Salon

Crazy like a fox: In 1947 he grossed $72 million in car sales.

From Los Angeles Times

Considering Trump's reaction to the indictments and his lashing out, is he crazy like a fox?

From Salon

Perhaps, but I couldn’t help but come away from Kliavkoff’s appearance Friday thinking that just maybe he’s crazy like a fox.

From Seattle Times

So is Bradford crazy or just crazy like a fox?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cagey
• crooked
• scheming
• shifty
• shrewd
• sly
• sneaky
• underhanded