Understanding Cat Idioms, Sayings, Phrases, And Expressions

Cat idioms have prowled their way into everyday language, adding a playful twist to how we communicate.

On this page, you’ll uncover a variety of popular cat idioms, complete with their meanings, origins, synonyms, and example sentences.

Whether you’re curious about phrases like “the cat’s out of the bag” or intrigued by sayings like “curiosity killed the cat,” this guide will help you enrich your vocabulary with feline flair.

Ideal for writers, language enthusiasts, or anyone looking to add a dash of whimsy to their words, our collection of cat idioms will elevate your communication style.

Explore how cat-inspired expressions shape our conversations, and discover the intriguing stories behind these purr-fect phrases!

Let The Cat Out Of The Bag

Synonym: Reveal a secret
Meaning: To accidentally or intentionally disclose a secret that was meant to be kept hidden.
Origin: This phrase is believed to originate from a time when farmers sold live pigs in bags at markets. Sometimes, unscrupulous sellers would substitute a less valuable cat for the pig, and the trick would be revealed if the cat was let out of the bag. It now means to reveal a secret, often unintentionally.
Example Sentence: We were planning a surprise party, but John let the cat out of the bag, and now everyone knows.

Curiosity Killed The Cat

Synonym: Inquisitiveness can lead to trouble
Meaning: Being too curious can lead to dangerous situations or unwanted consequences.
Origin: This idiom suggests that being too curious can lead to trouble or danger, much like a cat’s natural curiosity can get it into risky situations.
Example Sentence: I know you want to know what’s inside the box, but remember that curiosity killed the cat.

Cat Got Your Tongue

Synonym: Speechless
Meaning: Used when someone is unusually quiet or reluctant to speak.
Origin: The exact origin of this phrase is unclear, but it’s been used since the 19th century to describe someone who is at a loss for words or uncharacteristically quiet.
Example Sentence: You’ve been so quiet today—what’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?

Look What The Cat Dragged In

Synonym: Unwelcome arrival
Meaning: A playful or sarcastic way to greet someone who arrives looking messy or uninvited.
Origin: This phrase comes from the idea of a cat bringing home something it caught, usually a small, messy, or unwelcome creature. It’s often used humorously to refer to someone who arrives looking disheveled or unexpectedly.
Example Sentence: Well, look what the cat dragged in! Where have you been all night?

Cat Nap

Synonym: Short sleep
Meaning: A brief and light sleep, often taken during the day.
Origin: Cats are known for taking short, frequent naps throughout the day. The phrase “cat nap” refers to a brief, light sleep.
Example Sentence: I’m feeling a bit tired, so I’m going to take a cat nap before we go out tonight.

When The Cat’s Away The Mice Will Play

Synonym: Freedom when authority is absent
Meaning: People tend to take advantage of the absence of authority to do as they please.
Origin: This idiom is based on the idea that when authority figures (like a cat) are not present, those under their control (like mice) will behave more freely or mischievously.
Example Sentence: The boss is on vacation this week, so the office has been pretty relaxed—when the cat’s away, the mice will play!

Raining Cats And Dogs

Synonym: Heavy rain
Meaning: A phrase used to describe extremely heavy rain.
Origin: Although the exact origin is unclear, this phrase is often thought to describe a particularly heavy rainstorm, with “cats and dogs” representing the severity of the downpour.
Example Sentence: I was planning to go for a walk, but it’s raining cats and dogs outside!

Fight Like Cats And Dogs

Synonym: Constant fighting
Meaning: To argue or fight fiercely and persistently, often with someone close.
Origin: This phrase comes from the stereotypical view that cats and dogs are natural enemies, often engaging in noisy and aggressive fights. It’s used to describe people who are constantly arguing or fighting.
Example Sentence: The two siblings fight like cats and dogs over everything.

The Cat’s Meow

Synonym: The best
Meaning: Something or someone that is considered outstanding or the best in its class.
Origin: This phrase was popularized in the 1920s and refers to something or someone that is outstanding or excellent, much like a cat purring in contentment.
Example Sentence: Have you seen her new car? It’s the cat’s meow!

Fat Cat

Synonym: Wealthy and powerful person
Meaning: A rich and influential person, often in a negative sense, implying they are greedy or self-serving.
Origin: This idiom originated in the early 20th century to describe wealthy and powerful individuals, often in business or politics, who live comfortably at the expense of others.
Example Sentence: The fat cats on Wall Street don’t seem to care about the average worker.

Scaredy Cat

Synonym: Coward
Meaning: A person who is easily frightened.
Origin: This term comes from the stereotype that cats are easily frightened and tend to be jumpy. It’s used to describe someone who is overly scared or timid.
Example Sentence: Don’t be such a scaredy-cat! It’s just a harmless spider.

Like Herding Cats

Synonym: Difficult to manage
Meaning: A task that is extremely difficult or impossible to organize, especially when dealing with people.
Origin: Cats are known for their independence and unpredictability, making them difficult to control or organize. This idiom is used to describe a situation that is chaotic and hard to manage.
Example Sentence: Trying to get all the kids ready for school in the morning is like herding cats.

Copycat

Synonym: Imitator
Meaning: Someone who mimics or replicates another person’s behavior, work, or style.
Origin: The term “copycat” likely comes from observing how kittens learn by imitating the behaviors of older cats. It’s used to describe someone who mimics or copies the actions of another.
Example Sentence: He’s just a copycat—he always tries to do everything his older brother does.

Playing Cat And Mouse

Synonym: Manipulative game
Meaning: A situation where one person tries to outsmart or trap another in a series of strategic moves.
Origin: This idiom refers to the way a cat will play with a mouse before catching it, letting it go and then recapturing it. It’s used to describe a situation where one party is toying with another, especially in a tense or competitive scenario.
Example Sentence: The negotiations felt like a game of cat and mouse, with each side waiting for the other to make a move.

More Than One Way To Skin A Cat

Synonym: Multiple solutions
Meaning: There are many ways to achieve the same goal.
Origin: The origin of this phrase is uncertain, but it likely refers to the idea that there are many ways to achieve the same goal. It’s used to express that there are multiple methods to accomplish something.
Example Sentence: Don’t worry if that approach didn’t work; there’s more than one way to skin a cat.

Pussyfoot Around

Synonym: Be evasive
Meaning: To avoid making a decision or taking action; to be overly cautious.
Origin: This idiom comes from the way cats move silently and carefully. It’s used to describe someone who is being overly cautious or avoiding direct action.
Example Sentence: Stop pussyfooting around and tell me what you really think.

Cool Cat

Synonym: Stylish and relaxed person
Meaning: Someone who is calm, confident, and fashionable.
Origin: Originating from the jazz scene in the mid-20th century, this phrase refers to someone who is exceptionally calm, confident, and stylish.
Example Sentence: He’s a real cool cat, never gets flustered even under pressure.

Cat Burglar

Synonym: Stealthy thief
Meaning: A thief who is known for breaking into buildings silently and undetected, often through windows or other hard-to-access areas.
Origin: A thief who is known for breaking into buildings silently and undetected, often through windows or other hard-to-access areas.
Example Sentence: The police are searching for the cat burglar who has been breaking into houses in the neighborhood.

Copycat Crime

Synonym: Imitative crime
Meaning: A crime that is inspired by another crime that has already been committed, often following the same methods.
Origin: Expanding on the term “copycat,” this idiom refers to a crime that is committed by someone who imitates the methods or style of another criminal.
Example Sentence: The recent robbery seems to be a copycat crime, mimicking the one that happened last month.

Cat Fight

Synonym: Quarrel, especially between women
Meaning: A loud, aggressive fight or argument, typically between two women.
Origin: This idiom refers to a fight between women, often implying that the conflict is particularly fierce or personal. It likely originates from the image of cats hissing, scratching, and fighting with each other.
Example Sentence: The debate turned into a cat fight when the two opponents started attacking each other personally.

Like A Cat With Nine Lives

Synonym: Resilient
Meaning: Someone who seems to escape dangerous situations repeatedly or has an uncanny ability to survive against the odds.
Origin: The phrase originates from the ancient belief that cats have multiple lives due to their agility and ability to escape from dangerous situations. This idea was reinforced in folklore, where cats were often seen as having supernatural powers.
Example Sentence: After surviving yet another close call, everyone said Jake was like a cat with nine lives.

Cat’s Pajamas

Synonym: Outstanding
Meaning: Something or someone that is considered to be excellent, fashionable, or the best of its kind.
Origin: The phrase “cat’s pajamas” became popular in the 1920s during the Jazz Age, a time known for its playful and inventive slang. “Pajamas” was a relatively new word in English, and pairing it with “cat” created a quirky and fashionable compliment.
Example Sentence: Her new dress is the cat’s pajamas; everyone at the party couldn’t stop complimenting her.