Cat Idioms

Contents

Discover the most popular cat idioms in the English language with their meanings and examples. Enrich your vocabulary and learn how to use these feline-inspired expressions in everyday conversation.

List of Cat Idioms

The list below introduces 30 most common cat idioms in English.

Fight Like Cat And Dog
Rain Cats And Dogs
(Like) Herding Cats
(There’s) More Than One Way to Skin A Cat
(To Put the) Cat Among(st) the Pigeons
A Cat Has Nine Lives
A Cat In Gloves Catches No Mice
A Cat Nap
A Scaredy-Cat
Bell the Cat
Can’t Swing A Dead Cat In (Place) Without Hitting A (Thing)
Cat Fight
Cat Got Your Tongue?
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
Cat-and-Mouse (adj.)
Cat’s Paw
Cool Cat
Curiosity Killed The Cat
Fat Cat
Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Like The Cat That Got The Cream
Look What the Cat Dragged In
No Room To Swing A Cat
Not Enough Room to Swing a Cat
Play Cat And Mouse
Put The Cat Among The Pigeons
The Cat Is Out of the Bag
There’s More Than One Way To Skin A Cat
Not Have A Cat In Hell’s Chance
Who’s She, the Cat’s Mother?

Cat Idioms with Meaning and Examples

Cat Idioms (1)

Fight Like Cat And Dog

Meaning: To argue or fight constantly, like cats and dogs.
Example: My brother and I used to fight like cat and dog, but now we get along great.

Rain Cats And Dogs

Meaning: To rain heavily.
Example: It was raining cats and dogs last night, and I got completely soaked.

(Like) Herding Cats

Meaning: To try to control or organize a group of people or things that are difficult to control or organize.
Example: Trying to get our team to agree on a project plan is like herding cats.

(There’s) More Than One Way to Skin A Cat

Meaning: There are many ways to do something.
Example: We could take the highway or the back roads to get there. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.

(To Put the) Cat Among(st) the Pigeons

Meaning: To cause trouble or provoke a reaction.
Example: When John announced he was leaving the company, it put the cat among the pigeons.

A Cat Has Nine Lives

Meaning: Cats are said to have nine lives, meaning they can survive dangerous situations.
Example: After surviving a terrible car accident, everyone said he must have a cat’s nine lives.

Cat Idioms (2)

A Cat In Gloves Catches No Mice

Meaning: If you’re too cautious or polite, you won’t achieve your goals.
Example: You need to be more assertive if you want to succeed. A cat in gloves catches no mice.

A Cat Nap

Meaning: A short sleep taken during the day.
Example: After lunch, I usually take a cat nap to refresh my mind.

A Scaredy-Cat

Meaning: A person who is easily frightened or scared.
Example: Don’t be a scaredy-cat, it’s just a harmless spider.

Bell the Cat

Meaning: To undertake a dangerous or difficult task.
Example: The team was hesitant to take on the new project, but the manager decided to bell the cat and lead the way.

Can’t Swing A Dead Cat In (Place) Without Hitting A (Thing)

Meaning: There are too many of something in a small space. Example: There were so many people in the store, you couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting someone.

Cat Fight

Meaning: A nasty argument or a physical fight between two women.
Example: The two actresses had a cat fight on the set, and it made headlines in the tabloids.

Cat Idioms (3)

Cat Got Your Tongue?

Meaning: Why aren’t you speaking?
Example: Why aren’t you saying anything? Cat got your tongue?

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

Meaning: To be nervous or uncomfortable.
Example: I had to give a speech in front of a big audience, and I felt like a cat on a hot tin roof.

Cat-and-Mouse (adj.)

Meaning: A situation in which one person is trying to catch or find another person who is trying to avoid being caught or found.
Example: The police were in a cat-and-mouse chase with the criminal for weeks.

Cat’s Paw

Meaning: A person who is used by someone else to do something without realizing it.
Example: He was just a cat’s paw for the real mastermind behind the scheme.

Cool Cat

Meaning: A person who is calm and collected. Example: Even in the face of danger, he remained a cool cat.

Curiosity Killed The Cat

Meaning: Being too curious can lead to trouble.
Example: I wouldn’t go poking around in there if I were you. Remember, curiosity killed the cat.

Cat Idioms (4)

Fat Cat

Meaning: A wealthy and powerful person.
Example: The CEO of the company was a fat cat who lived in a mansion.

Let the Cat Out of the Bag

Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Example: I accidentally let the cat out of the bag and told her about the surprise party.

Like The Cat That Got The Cream

Meaning: To be very pleased with oneself.
Example: After winning the race, he strutted around like the cat that got the cream.

Look What the Cat Dragged In

Meaning: Used to express disdain or disapproval of someone who has arrived unexpectedly or is unwelcome.
Example: Look what the cat dragged in. I can’t believe you invited him to the party.

No Room To Swing A Cat

Meaning: A small or cramped space.
Example: This apartment is so small, there’s no room to swing a cat.

Not Enough Room to Swing a Cat

Meaning: A small or cramped space.
Example: The car was so packed with people and luggage, there wasn’t enough room to swing a cat.

Cat Idioms (5)

Play Cat And Mouse

Meaning: To play with someone or something, often in a cruel or teasing way.
Example: The cat played cat and mouse with the mouse before finally catching it.

Put The Cat Among The Pigeons

Meaning: To cause trouble or provoke a reaction.
Example: When the CEO announced the layoffs, it put the cat among the pigeons.

The Cat Is Out of the Bag

Meaning: The secret is out.
Example: I accidentally let the cat out of the bag and told her about the surprise party.

There’s More Than One Way To Skin A Cat

Meaning: There are many ways to achieve the same result.
Example: “I’m not sure how to solve this problem.” “Don’t worry, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Let’s brainstorm some different approaches.”

Not Have A Cat In Hell’s Chance

Meaning: To have no chance at all.
Example: “Do you think I have a chance of winning the lottery?” “No, you don’t have a cat in hell’s chance of winning.”

Note: Primarily heard in UK.

Who’s She, the Cat’s Mother?

Meaning: Used to scold someone for using a pronoun instead of a name.
Example: “Hey, can you pass me that book?” “Who’s she, the cat’s mother? Use my name, please.”