Do you have cat idioms in your native language?

I have two young cats at home and while I was watching them playing and having fun together the other day, I realized there are many idiomatic English expressions relating to cats.

Here are nine of the most common ones…

 

♦ let the cat out of the bag

To let the cat out of the bag is to carelessly or accidentally reveal a secret.

Informal English.

Examples:

1. We wanted our wedding to be a secret, but my father let the cat out of the bag.

2. I’m planning a surprise anniversary party for my parents. I hope nobody lets the cat out of the bag before the big day!

 

 

♦ a copycat

Informal English.

A copycat is a person (especially a child) or thing that closely imitates another.

This expression is often used by children when another child is copying their behaviour or actions.

Examples:

1. You’re just a copycat!”

2. “Mum! He called me a copycat!

 

 

♦ the cat’s pyjamas 

When something (or someone) is the cat’s pyjamas it’s the very best it can be: it’s excellent.

Informal English.

the cat’s whiskers has the same meaning

Examples:

1. He thinks he’s the cat’s pyjamas.

2. My new iPhone is the cat’s pyjamas.

 

 

♦ raining cats and dogs

If it’s raining cats and dogs it’s raining very heavily.

Informal English.

It’s not known where this expression comes from, but it does not mean that cats and dogs are literally falling from the sky

Example:

Put your coat on: it’s raining cats and dogs outside.

 

 

♦ the cat that got the cream

Or, the cat that stole the cream.

When you’re like the cat that got the cream, you look very happy and pleased with yourself (self-satisfied), because of something you have done or achieved.

Informal English.

Examples:

1. She started dating her boss and now she’s like the cat that got the cream.

2. Look at him sitting there looking like the cat that got the cream!

 

 

♦ like a cat on a hot tin roof

If you’re like a cat on a hot tin roof you are very nervous and restless.

1. His exam results will be online in an hour: he’s like a cat on a hot tin roof!

2. What’s the matter with your brother? He’s like a cat on a hot tin roof today.

 

 

♦ grin like a Cheshire cat

If you have a grin like a Cheshire cat you have a very big smile.

To grin like a Cheshire cat means to smile very broadly, from ear to ear.

Informal English.

Example of use:

She had a grin like a Cheshire cat when she passed her English exam!

The Cheshire Cat is a fictional character in Lewis Carroll’s famous book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

 

 

♦ not a cat in hell’s chance

not a cat in hell’s chance – no chance at all

This expression is used in situations where there is no hope at all of doing or achieving something.

Informal English.

Examples:

1. We hadn’t a cat in hell’s chance of rescuing our furniture from the fire.

2. I missed most of my driving lessons and I haven’t a cat in hell’s chance of passing my driving test next week!

 

 

♦ a catnap

A catnap is a short sleep.

Informal English.

Example:

My gran always has a catnap after lunch.

 

If you catnap, you have a short sleep or you sleep intermittently (at irregular intervals).

Example:

I catnapped on the flight from London to Rome.

 

Do you like cats and do you have a pet cat?

Do you know any other cat-related idiomatic expressions?

If you have cat idioms in your native language please share them here (with their English translation) 🙂