
Somebody’s bark is worse than their bite
False Intimidation
The phrase often refers to people who seem tough but aren't. It's used to reassure that fear is unnecessary. 
Misleading Appearance
Sometimes appearance or first impressions could be deceptive. This phrase invites looking beyond them. 
Not Literal
This is a metaphorical phrase. It's not about real barking and biting, but about a person's behavior. 