67+ Cat Idioms, Phrases & Sayings With Meanings & Examples
Learn common cat idioms and sayings to enhance your language skills. We’ve let the cat out of the bag for you!
Idioms are phrases that have meanings different from their literal words. They help to illustrate points more vividly and can make communication more interesting and relatable. In English, idioms are used every day and they’re often influenced by animals.
One animal that has provided inspiration for a lot of idioms, phrases, and sayings is the cat.
Cat idioms and sayings represent a fun way to express emotions and behaviors in a colorful, relatable way. For example, when you say someone “has nine lives,” it means they’ve survived many challenges, not that they literally have multiple chances! Other sayings “like a cat on a hot tin roof” convey nervousness or anxiety, while “curiosity killed the cat” warns against excessive curiosity or probing.
Understanding and using these cat idioms allows you to compare human actions to feline traits, making your language sound more fluent. With that in mind, let’s stop pussyfooting around and get stuck into some popular cat idioms and sayings!
Cat Idioms and Sayings
Below, you’ll find popular cat idioms and sayings, with their meanings and examples of how to use them.
A Cat Has Nine Lives
Meaning: Cats are resilient and seem to survive dangerous situations, it’s like they have nine lives. You can also apply this phrase to a person who seems to survive many dangerous or difficult situations, often with luck or skill.
Example: Don’t worry too much about the fall — after all, he has nine lives!
A Cat in Gloves Catches No Mice
Meaning: Being too careful or gentle may prevent success.
Example: If you want results, be assertive — a cat in gloves catches no mice.
A Cat May Look at a King
Meaning: Even someone of lower status has rights.
Example: She spoke to the CEO confidently, believing that a cat may look at a king.
A Cat Nap
Meaning: A short, light sleep.
Example: I took a cat nap during lunch to recharge for the afternoon.
A Copycat
Meaning: Someone who imitates another person’s behavior.
Example: Stop being a copycat and come up with your own ideas!
A Fat Cat
Meaning: A wealthy and powerful person.
Example: The fat cats of the industry keep getting richer.
A Scaredy-Cat
Meaning: A person who is easily frightened.
Example: He won’t watch horror movies because he’s a scaredy-cat.
Alley Cat
Meaning: A stray or feral cat, sometimes referring to a person with a rough lifestyle.
Example: He grew up like an alley cat, surviving on his own.
As Conceited as a Barber’s Cat
Meaning: Extremely vain or self-important.
Example: She thinks she’s the best — she’s as conceited as a barber’s cat.
As Nervous as a Cat in a Room Full of Rocking Chairs
Meaning: Extremely anxious or jumpy.
Example: Before my speech, I was as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
As Weak as a Kitten
Meaning: Very weak or feeble.
Example: After the flu, he felt as weak as a kitten.
Bell the Cat
Meaning: To take on a difficult or dangerous task.
Example: Someone has to bell the cat and tell the boss the truth.
Busier Than a One-Eyed Cat Watching Two Mouse Holes
Meaning: Extremely busy or overwhelmed.
Example: With two jobs and night school, she’s busier than a one-eyed cat watching two mouse holes.
Cat Burglar
Meaning: A thief who enters buildings stealthily.
Example: The cat burglar managed to escape unseen.
Catfight
Meaning: A quarrel between two women.
Example: There was a catfight over who got the last dress on sale.
Cat Got Your Tongue?
Meaning: Said when someone is unusually quiet.
Example: You’ve been silent — what’s wrong, cat got your tongue?
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Meaning: Someone who is restless or anxious.
Example: Waiting for my test results made me feel like a cat on a hot tin roof.
Cat’s Cradle
Meaning: A complex or tangled situation; also a string game played between fingers.
Example: The legal case turned into a cat’s cradle of conflicting evidence.
Cat’s Meow
Meaning: Something excellent or fashionable.
Example: Her new dress is the cat’s meow!
Cat’s Pajamas
Meaning: Something outstanding or impressive.
Example: That new gadget is the cat’s pajamas!
Cat’s Paw
Meaning: Someone used as a tool by another person.
Example: He didn’t realize he was just a cat’s paw in their political game.
Cheshire Cat Grin
Meaning: A wide, mischievous smile.
Example: She had a Cheshire cat grin after hearing the good news.
Claw Your Way Out
Meaning: To escape from a difficult or desperate situation through great effort.
Example: He had to claw his way out of debt after losing his job.
Cool Cat
Meaning: A stylish, confident person.
Example: He’s a cool cat, always relaxed and in control.
Copycat Crime
Meaning: A crime that mimics another.
Example: The recent robbery was a copycat crime inspired by a movie.
Curiosity Killed the Cat
Meaning: Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.
Example: Stop asking so many questions — curiosity killed the cat!
Dead Cat Bounce
Meaning: A temporary recovery in stock prices after a steep decline, followed by further losses.
Example: Don’t invest yet; this could just be a dead cat bounce.
Dig Your Claws In
Meaning: To hold onto something or someone stubbornly.
Example: He dug his claws in and refused to leave.
Dog and Cat Weather
Meaning: Unpredictable, stormy weather.
Example: The weather changed so suddenly — it’s like dog and cat weather out there.
Dog and Cat Life
Meaning: A relationship full of constant arguments.
Example: They have a dog and cat life, always arguing about something.
Fat Cat
Meaning: A wealthy or powerful person, often seen as self-serving.
Example: The fat cats of the industry don’t care about the average worker.
Fight Like Cats and Dogs
Meaning: To argue or fight intensely.
Example: My siblings fight like cats and dogs over the TV remote.
Game of Cat and Mouse
Meaning: A situation where one person is trying to outsmart another.
Example: The detective and the criminal were locked in a game of cat and mouse.
Get Your Claws Into Someone
Meaning: To control, influence, or manipulate someone, often in a possessive or harmful way.
Example: She got her claws into him, and now he does whatever she says.
Grin Like a Cheshire Cat
Meaning: To smile broadly.
Example: He was grinning like a Cheshire cat after winning the lottery.
Hang Onto Someone Like a Cat on a Hot Brick
Meaning: To hold onto something or someone in desperation.
Example: She clung to her old job like a cat on a hot brick, afraid of change.
Hellcat
Meaning: A fierce or bad-tempered woman.
Example: She may look sweet, but she’s a real hellcat when she’s angry.
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
Meaning: It’s raining heavily.
Example: Take an umbrella — it’s raining cats and dogs outside!
Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Like a Cat on a Hot Brick
Meaning: Very restless or anxious.
Example: She was like a cat on a hot brick waiting for the results.
Like a Cat That Got the Cream
Meaning: Looking smug or self-satisfied.
Example: He walked in like a cat that got the cream after the promotion.
Like Herding Cats
Meaning: Extremely difficult to control or manage.
Example: Getting my coworkers to agree is like herding cats.
Like Herding Kittens
Meaning: Trying to control a chaotic group.
Example: Getting the kids ready for school is like herding kittens.
Live Like a Cat With Nine Lives
Meaning: To live recklessly and survive dangerous situations.
Example: He drives so fast — he lives like a cat with nine lives!
Look Like Something the Cat Coughed Up
Meaning: To look very messy, sick, or disheveled.
Example: After staying up all night, he looked like something the cat coughed up.
Look Like Something the Cat Dragged In
Meaning: To appear disheveled, tired, or unkempt.
Example: After the long trip, she looked like something the cat dragged in.
Looks Like the Cat That Got the Cream
Meaning: Someone who appears very self-satisfied or smug.
Example: After winning the competition, he looked like the cat that got the cream.
Looks Like the Cat That Swallowed the Canary
Meaning: Someone who looks guilty but pleased with themselves.
Example: She looked like the cat that swallowed the canary after sneaking the last cookie.
Look What the Cat Dragged In
Meaning: A playful way to greet someone who looks messy or unexpected.
Example: Well, look what the cat dragged in — where have you been?
Mad as a Cat in a Sack
Meaning: Extremely angry or frantic.
Example: When she found out, she was mad as a cat in a sack.
No Room to Swing a Cat
Meaning: A very small or cramped space.
Example: My apartment is so tiny, there’s no room to swing a cat.
Not Have a Cat in Hell’s Chance
Meaning: To have no chance of success.
Example: He doesn’t have a cat in hell’s chance of winning that race.
Play Cat and Mouse
Meaning: To tease or trick someone.
Example: The detective played cat and mouse with the suspect for weeks.
Purring Like a Cat
Meaning: Feeling happy, content, or smug.
Example: After closing the deal, he was purring like a cat.
Pussyfooting Around
Meaning: To act in a cautious or hesitant manner.
Example: Stop pussyfooting around and tell me the truth!
Put the Cat Among the Pigeons
Meaning: To cause trouble or controversy.
Example: Announcing layoffs put the cat among the pigeons at the office.
Rub Someone the Wrong Way
Meaning: To annoy or irritate someone.
Example: Her attitude rubs me the wrong way.
Scaredy-Cat
Meaning: A person who is overly fearful or timid.
Example: Don’t be such a scaredy-cat; it’s just a harmless spider.
Sharpen Your Claws
Meaning: To prepare for an argument, attack, or competition.
Example: The politicians were sharpening their claws before the debate.
Show Your Claws
Meaning: To reveal a more aggressive or hostile side.
Example: She seemed friendly at first, but she showed her claws when challenged.
Swing a Dead Cat
Meaning: A phrase suggesting that something is very common.
Example: In this city, you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a coffee shop.
The Cat Is Out of the Bag
Meaning: The secret has been revealed.
Example: The cat is out of the bag about their engagement.
The Cat’s Meow
Meaning: Something or someone exceptional or impressive.
Example: Her new car is the cat’s meow; everyone’s talking about it.
The Cat’s Pajamas
Meaning: Something wonderful, stylish, or the best of its kind.
Example: This new gadget is the cat’s pajamas!
The Cat That Ate the Canary
Meaning: Someone who looks pleased with themselves.
Example: He looked like the cat that ate the canary after winning the bet.
There’s a Cat in Hell’s Chance
Meaning: Very little or no chance of success.
Example: There’s a cat in hell’s chance he’ll finish that project on time.
There’s More Than One Way to Skin a Cat
Meaning: There are multiple ways to accomplish something.
Example: If plan A fails, don’t worry — there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
To Have Kittens
Meaning: To be extremely anxious or upset.
Example: She was having kittens waiting for her exam results.
When the Cat’s Away, the Mice Will Play
Meaning: People will misbehave when authority is absent.
Example: The boss is on vacation, so the employees are slacking off — when the cat’s away, the mice will play.
What Next?
Mastered these cat idioms? If you’re new-found language skills have you purring like a cat, you might also like to check out:
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