Are You the 'Black Sheep of the Family'?
Sheep were one of the first animals that people farmed, and they have been a part of our lives for more than 10,000 years. That's why there are many English expressions about sheep.
When a person is called the "black sheep of the family," it means they often cause problems, or do not fit in with the family. This expression may have come from the fact that farmers often don't want black sheep as much as white sheep, because black wool can't be colored.
So if a friend told you that your older brother had invited them to play cards, you might say, "Don't go! He's the black sheep of the family! He'll cheat and take all your money!"
If someone calls you a "sheep," they are usually saying that you follow others and don't think for yourself. A group of people who act this way might even be called "sheeple." This word combines "sheep" with "people," and was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2017.
Your friend could say, "I don't think your brother is bad just because your family thinks so! I'm not a sheep like you — I'll think for myself and go only if I want to!"
Someone or something that is helpless and doesn't know that it's in danger can be said to be "like a lamb to the slaughter" — a young sheep being taken to be killed and eaten.
When you see your friend the next day, they might say, "I should have listened to you! I didn't win once, and your brother took all my money. I was like a lamb to the slaughter!"
