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be like a cat on a hot tin roof
Definition:
to be nervous and unable to keep still.
Example:
What's the matter with her? She's like a cat on a hot tin roof this morning.
to be nervous and unable to keep still.
Example:
What's the matter with her? She's like a cat on a hot tin roof this morning.
be the cat's whiskers (British & Australian)
Definition:
to be better than everyone else.
Example:
I thought I was the cat's whiskers in my new dress.
to be better than everyone else.
Example:
I thought I was the cat's whiskers in my new dress.
a cat and mouse game
Definition:
play cat and mouse - to try to defeat someone by tricking them into making a mistake so that you have an advantage over them.
Example:
It's just the latest manoeuvre in the eternal cat and mouse game between the police and drug runners.
play cat and mouse - to try to defeat someone by tricking them into making a mistake so that you have an advantage over them.
Example:
It's just the latest manoeuvre in the eternal cat and mouse game between the police and drug runners.
Curiosity killed the cat.
Definition:
something that you say in order to warn someone not to ask too many questions about something.
Example:
'Why are you going away so suddenly?' 'Curiosity killed the cat.'
something that you say in order to warn someone not to ask too many questions about something.
Example:
'Why are you going away so suddenly?' 'Curiosity killed the cat.'
a fat cat (informal)
Definition:
an impolite way of referring to someone who is very rich and powerful.
Example:
He's just another fat cat - a corporate tycoon from Boston.
an impolite way of referring to someone who is very rich and powerful.
Example:
He's just another fat cat - a corporate tycoon from Boston.
Example:
There's a lot of resentment against fat-cat lawyers who've made huge amounts from the case. (always before noun)
fight like cat and dog (British & Australian, British & American)
Definition:
to argue violently all the time.
Example:
We get on very well as adults but as kids we fought like cat and dog.
to argue violently all the time.
Example:
We get on very well as adults but as kids we fought like cat and dog.
a grin like a Cheshire cat
Definition:
a very wide smile.
Example:
I just presumed he'd got the job because he walked in here with a grin like a Cheshire cat.
Example:
What have you got to look so happy about, walking round here grinning like a Cheshire cat? (usually in continuous tenses)
a very wide smile.
Example:
I just presumed he'd got the job because he walked in here with a grin like a Cheshire cat.
Example:
What have you got to look so happy about, walking round here grinning like a Cheshire cat? (usually in continuous tenses)
Has the cat got your tongue?
Definition:
something that you say to someone when you are annoyed because they will not speak.
Example:
Well, has the cat got your tongue? I'm waiting for an explanation.
something that you say to someone when you are annoyed because they will not speak.
Example:
Well, has the cat got your tongue? I'm waiting for an explanation.
not have a cat in hell's chance (British)
Definition:
to have no chance at all of achieving something.
Example:
Thay haven't a cat in hell's chance of getting over the mountain in weather like this. (usually + of + doing something)
to have no chance at all of achieving something.
Example:
Thay haven't a cat in hell's chance of getting over the mountain in weather like this. (usually + of + doing something)
It's raining cats and dogs! (old-fashioned)
Definition:
something that you say when it is raining very heavily.
Example:
It's raining cats and dogs out there! It's a wonder any of the men can see what they're doing!
something that you say when it is raining very heavily.
Example:
It's raining cats and dogs out there! It's a wonder any of the men can see what they're doing!
let the cat out of the bag
Definition:
to tell people secret information, often without intending to.
Example:
I was trying to keep the party a secret, but Jim went and let the cat out of the bag.
to tell people secret information, often without intending to.
Example:
I was trying to keep the party a secret, but Jim went and let the cat out of the bag.
like the cat that got the cream (British & Australian, American)
Definition:
if someone looks like the cat that got the cream, they annoy other people by looking very pleased with themselves because of something good that they have done.
Example:
Of course Mark got a glowing report so he was sitting there grinning like the cat that got the cream.
if someone looks like the cat that got the cream, they annoy other people by looking very pleased with themselves because of something good that they have done.
Example:
Of course Mark got a glowing report so he was sitting there grinning like the cat that got the cream.
look like something the cat brought/dragged in (informal)
Definition:
if someone looks like something the cat brought in, they are very untidy and dirty.
Example:
You can't possibly go to school like that - you look like something the cat dragged in!
if someone looks like something the cat brought in, they are very untidy and dirty.
Example:
You can't possibly go to school like that - you look like something the cat dragged in!
Look what the cat's dragged in! (informal)
Definition:
an insulting way of saying that someone has just arrived, suggesting that they are ugly and badly dressed.
Example:
Well, look what the cat's dragged in. Did you make that dress or borrow it from your mother?
an insulting way of saying that someone has just arrived, suggesting that they are ugly and badly dressed.
Example:
Well, look what the cat's dragged in. Did you make that dress or borrow it from your mother?
play cat and mouse
Definition:
to try to defeat someone by tricking them into making a mistake so that you have an advantage over them.
Example:
The 32-year-old actress spent a large proportion of the week playing cat and mouse with the press. (often + with)
to try to defeat someone by tricking them into making a mistake so that you have an advantage over them.
Example:
The 32-year-old actress spent a large proportion of the week playing cat and mouse with the press. (often + with)
put/set the cat among the pigeons (British & Australian)
Definition:
to do or say something that causes trouble and makes a lot of people angry or worried.
Example:
Tell them all they've got to work on Saturday. That should set the cat among the pigeons.
to do or say something that causes trouble and makes a lot of people angry or worried.
Example:
Tell them all they've got to work on Saturday. That should set the cat among the pigeons.
not room to swing a cat (informal)
Definition:
if there is not room to swing a cat in a place, that place is very small.
Example:
There isn't room to swing a cat in the third room, it's so tiny. Get a sofa in the living room? You'll be lucky - there isn't room to swing a cat in there.
if there is not room to swing a cat in a place, that place is very small.
Example:
There isn't room to swing a cat in the third room, it's so tiny. Get a sofa in the living room? You'll be lucky - there isn't room to swing a cat in there.
a scaredy-cat (informal)
Definition:
someone who is frightened when there is no reason to be.
Example:
Go on you scaredy-cat, jump in.
someone who is frightened when there is no reason to be.
Example:
Go on you scaredy-cat, jump in.
see which way the cat jumps (Australian, informal)
Definition:
to delay making a decision or doing something until you know what is going to happen or what other people are going to do.
Example:
We'd better wait and see which way the cat jumps before we commit ourselves.
to delay making a decision or doing something until you know what is going to happen or what other people are going to do.
Example:
We'd better wait and see which way the cat jumps before we commit ourselves.
There's more than one way to skin a cat. (humorous)
Definition:
something that you say which means that there are several possible ways of achieving something.
Example:
It may be illegal for them to organise a strike, but they can still show the management how they feel. There's more than one way to skin a cat, you know.
something that you say which means that there are several possible ways of achieving something.
Example:
It may be illegal for them to organise a strike, but they can still show the management how they feel. There's more than one way to skin a cat, you know.
When/While the cat's away (the mice will play).
Definition:
something that you say which means when the person in authority is absent, people will not do what they should do.
Example:
Do you think it's wise to leave the children alone for so long? You know, while the cat's away...
cat got your tongue
something that you say which means when the person in authority is absent, people will not do what they should do.
Example:
Do you think it's wise to leave the children alone for so long? You know, while the cat's away...
cat got your tongue
Definition:
why are you not speaking.
Example:
After she finished the story, I kept silent. “What's the matter, cat got your tongue?” she asked.
let the cat out of the bag
Definition:
to tell something that is a secret, often without intending to.
Example:
Amazingly, not one of the people who knew about the surprise let the cat out of the bag.
to tell something that is a secret, often without intending to.
Example:
Amazingly, not one of the people who knew about the surprise let the cat out of the bag.
play (a game of) cat and mouse
Definition:
1. to repeatedly try to make someone react in a way that will cause them problems.
Example:
Enemy warplanes have been playing a deadly game of cat and mouse, trying to bring American fighter planes into range of their missiles.
1. to repeatedly try to make someone react in a way that will cause them problems.
Example:
Enemy warplanes have been playing a deadly game of cat and mouse, trying to bring American fighter planes into range of their missiles.
Definition:
2. to try to find someone who is hiding from you.
Example:
Border agents played cat and mouse with people trying to enter the country illegally.
Etymology: based on the way a cat plays with a mouse before killing it
raining cats and dogs
Definition:
to be raining in great amounts.
Example:
It was raining cats and dogs by the time I got home.
to be raining in great amounts.
Example:
It was raining cats and dogs by the time I got home.
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