Fight Like Cat And Dog
Meaning: Continually arguing with each other
Example: Those two fight like cat and dog, so please don’t put them together on the project.
Rain Cats And Dogs
Meaning: Rain very heavily
Example: It’s raining cats and dogs. Look at it pour!
(Like) Herding Cats
Meaning: Difficult to coordinate (said of members of a group)
Example: There are some brilliant thinkers at our office, but getting them to work together is like herding cats.
(There’s) More Than One Way to Skin A Cat
Meaning: There are multiple ways to accomplish this task.
Example: Joe’s user interface didn’t work well, but there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
(To Put the) Cat Among(st) the Pigeons
Meaning: Cause a disturbance or disruption, usually intentionally
Example: If we question the suspect now, it will put the cat among the pigeons, and his associates will scatter. Let’s hold off for now.
A Cat Has Nine Lives
Meaning: Cats seem to get away with dangerous things
Example: Mr.Smith has been missing for a few days, but I wouldn’t worry about him. Everybody knows a cat has nine lives.
A Cat In Gloves Catches No Mice
Meaning: You can’t get what you need if you’re too careful.
Example: I think you’ll get that promotion if you pursue it more assertively. A cat in gloves catches no mice, after all.
A Cat Nap
Meaning: A short sleep during the day
Example: I’m going to try to squeeze in a cat nap before my next shift starts, or else I’ll be feeling sluggish for the entire evening.
A Scaredy-Cat
Meaning: Someone who is excessively scared or afraid
Example: Gary called Joanne a scaredy-cat because she didn’t want to go exploring in the woods after dark.
Bell the Cat
Meaning: Take on a difficult or impossible task
Example: Who will bell the cat and take on the job of reducing corruption in this country?
Can’t Swing A Dead Cat In (Place) Without Hitting A (Thing)
Meaning: There are many examples of [thing] in this [place]
Example: You can’t swing a dead cat in Massachusetts without hitting a good pizzeria. Note: Fling a dead cat is also used.
Cat Fight
Meaning: A fight between two women
Example: It was a wild night at the bar last night. A lot of people got drunk, and they were thrown out when they started arguing and a cat fight broke out.
Cat Got Your Tongue?
Meaning: Don’t you have anything to say?
Example: I saw you at the bar last night with another woman. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?
Note: This is often used with the question What’s the matter?, as in the example.
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
Meaning: Be extremely nervous
Example: She’s waiting for the doctor to call with her test results, so she’s been like a cat on a hot tin roof all day.
Cat-and-Mouse (adj.)
Meaning: In a toying way; playful in an unpleasant way
Example: Caroline is giving Joe the cat-and-mouse treatment-she keeps leading him on, but she won’t commit to him. Note: You can also say to play cat and mouse.
Cat’s Paw
Meaning: A person being used by someone else, a tool
Example: The prime minister has no real power. He’s really just a cat’s paw of business interests.
Cool Cat
Meaning: Someone who has the respect of their peers in a young, casual wayExample: Monty is a cool cat. I really like him.
Curiosity Killed The Cat
Meaning: Stop asking questions, don’t be too curious
Example: Why do you want to go to the city tomorrow?’ -‘Curiosity killed the cat.
Fat Cat
Meaning: A highly placed, well-paid executive
Example: These days it seems as though the fat cats do better and better, but the workers do worse and worse.
Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Meaning: Reveal a secret, usually a secret you or others are trying to keep
Example: We had planned a surprise party for you, but Courtney let the cat out of the bag and told you about it.
Note: The cat is out of the bag is also used.
Like The Cat That Got The Cream
Meaning: Looking particularly self-satisfied, often to the annoyance of others
Example: After her promotion, Janet spent the rest of the day looking like the cat that got the cream.
Look What the Cat Dragged In
Meaning: Someone unwelcome has arrived
Example: Well, look what the cat dragged in. I suppose you want to borrow money again.
No Room To Swing A Cat
Meaning: Very small, not big enough
Example: Inside, there is no room to swing a cat, and everything you see is the most basic junk.
Not Enough Room to Swing a Cat
Meaning: A very small space
Example: My new car is economical, but there’s not enough room to swing a cat in there.
Play Cat And Mouse
Meaning: Trying to trick someone into making a mistake so you can defeat them
Example: The 32-year-old singer spent a large proportion of the week playing cat and mouse with the press.
Put The Cat Among The Pigeons
Meaning: Say or do something that causes trouble or controversy
Example: We didn’t want to put the cat among the pigeons, so we decided not to mention the bomb threat until we knew for certain that it was legitimate.
The Cat Is Out of the Bag
Meaning: The secret has been revealed.
Example: Maria told her friends about seeing us together at the movie. The cat is out of the bag.
There’s More Than One Way To Skin A Cat
Meaning: There’s more than one way of achieving a certain goal.
Example: Our talks with the investment group may have fallen through, but there’s more than one way to skin a cat!
Not Have A Cat In Hell’s Chance
Meaning: Have no possibility of succeeding, coming to pass, or achieving something
Example: They don’t have a cat’s chance in hell of getting into the playoffs this year.
Note: Primarily heard in UK.
Who’s She, the Cat’s Mother?
Meaning: Why does she have such a high opinion of herself?
Example: Samantha has been ordering everyone around lately. Who’s she, the cat’s mother?
Джерело: https://7esl.com/