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In my early years teaching English, I had a student convinced that “cats have nine lives” was a literal veterinary fact. That’s when I realized: idioms about animals aren’t just fun expressions — they’re gateways to understanding how English speakers think. Cats, in particular, have earned their place in English through centuries of folk wisdom, superstition, and observation. The 26 idioms reveal everything from workplace dynamics (“fat cat”) to the psychology of curiosity (“curiosity killed the cat”). For more, see our business presentation phrases. For more, see our business English guide.
Cat idioms are found in nearly every English-speaking culture. Some are ancient proverbs; others emerged from literature and film. Whether you’re preparing for business conversations, reading novels, or just wanting to sound more like a native speaker, understanding these expressions will help you decode the cultural references that native speakers use every day.
Key Takeaways
- Literal vs figurative: “The cat got your tongue?” doesn’t mean a real cat took your tongue — it means “Why aren’t you speaking?”
- Cultural roots: Many cat idioms come from folk wisdom (nine lives, curiosity) or literature (Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland).
- Context matters: “Fat cat” is insulting (greedy rich person), while “cool cat” is complimentary (respected peer).
- Dialogue triggers: Native speakers use these idioms casually in conversation, complaints, and storytelling — learn to recognize them when spoken.
- Negative vs positive: Most cat idioms are negative (“scaredy-cat”, “copycat”) or cautionary (“curiosity killed the cat”), reflecting historical views of cats as unpredictable.
What Are Cat Idioms?
Cat idioms are fixed expressions where the word “cat” or reference to cats creates a meaning that has nothing to do with the animal itself. For example, “to let the cat out of the bag” means to accidentally reveal a secret — there is no actual cat or bag involved. These expressions have become part of everyday English through repetition and cultural agreement about what they mean.
Cats appear in idioms more than almost any other animal in English (except perhaps dogs and birds). This is partly because cats have been living alongside humans in Europe for thousands of years, and partly because cats have distinctive behaviors — being independent, mysterious, curious, and quick — that lend themselves to metaphor.
Idiom note: An idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be guessed from the meanings of its individual words. Learning idioms is not about translating word-for-word; it’s about memorizing the whole phrase and its meaning as a unit.
26 Cat Idioms Organized by Meaning
Idioms About Secrets & Silence
1. Has the cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Why are you being quiet when you’re usually talkative?
Origin: Medieval origin, possibly from punishment where people’s tongues were cut out and fed to cats.
Example: When Sarah walked into the meeting without her usual joke, her manager asked, “Has the cat got your tongue? You’re usually so chatty!”
2. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Accidentally or carelessly reveal a secret.
Origin: Medieval market fraud — pigs were sold in bags; sometimes a cat was substituted. If you opened the bag early, you’d “let the cat out.”
Example: I was supposed to surprise Mom with a party, but my brother let the cat out of the bag when he mentioned the decorations.
Idioms About Behavior & Attitude
3. Like the cat that got the cream
Meaning: Looking very pleased with yourself, especially in an annoying way.
Example: After winning the competition, James walked around looking like the cat that got the cream, which made the other contestants frustrated.
4. Grin like a Cheshire cat
Meaning: Smile very widely and mysteriously.
Origin: From Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, where the Cheshire Cat grins while fading away.
Example: When I told him the good news, he grinned like a Cheshire cat for the rest of the day.
5. Cool cat
Meaning: Someone who is fashionable, respected, or relaxed in a casual way.
Example: Everyone at school thought Marcus was a cool cat because he was good at sports and never got nervous in front of people.
6. A scaredy-cat
Meaning: Someone who is easily frightened or lacks courage.
Example: Tom wouldn’t even go into the abandoned house — he’s such a scaredy-cat.
7. A copycat
Meaning: Someone who imitates or copies what others do.
Example: Every time I got a new hairstyle, my younger sister would copy it — she’s a real copycat!
Idioms About Luck & Chance
8. Not have a cat in hell’s chance
Meaning: Have virtually no chance of success.
Example: “Can you finish the project by tomorrow?” “Not a cat in hell’s chance — we just started today.”
9. A cat has nine lives
Meaning: Cats seem to survive dangerous situations miraculously; or, someone is lucky and keeps escaping harm.
Example: That driver has had three accidents this year but walked away from all of them. He must have nine lives!
Idioms About Conflict & Trouble
10. Fight like cat and dog
Meaning: Argue continuously and bitterly.
Example: My two brothers fight like cat and dog, but they actually care about each other.
11. Put the cat among the pigeons
Meaning: Do or say something that causes trouble, controversy, or upset.
Example: When the boss announced the new policy without discussing it with staff, she really put the cat among the pigeons.
12. Cat on a hot tin roof
Meaning: Be extremely nervous or agitated.
Origin: From Tennessee Williams’ play of the same name.
Example: Before her presentation, Sarah was like a cat on a hot tin roof, jumping at every sound.
13. Play cat and mouse
Meaning: Engage in a game of pursuit where one person tries to catch or outwit another.
Example: The police have been playing cat and mouse with that criminal for months.
Idioms About Authority & Behavior
14. When the cat’s away, the mice will play
Meaning: When authority figures or supervisors are absent, people behave badly or break rules.
Example: As soon as the teacher left the room, the students started talking loudly — when the cat’s away, the mice will play.
15. Fat cat
Meaning: A derogatory term for a wealthy and powerful person, especially one who is greedy or corrupt.
Example: The CEO’s huge salary while workers struggled made him look like a fat cat.
Idioms About Appearance & Condition
16. Look like something the cat dragged in
Meaning: Look very messy, dirty, or exhausted.
Example: After the all-night study session, I looked like something the cat dragged in.
17. No room to swing a cat
Meaning: A space is extremely small and cramped.
Example: My apartment is so tiny — there’s barely room to swing a cat.
Idioms About Knowledge & Curiosity
18. Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being too curious or asking too many questions can get you into trouble.
Origin: Medieval proverb about the dangers of excessive curiosity.
Example: I wanted to know where my birthday present was hidden, but Mom said, “Curiosity killed the cat — you’ll just have to wait.”
19. There’s more than one way to skin a cat
Meaning: There are multiple methods to achieve the same goal.
Example: You can reach the destination by car or train — there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
Idioms About Cats & Other Animals
20. Rain cats and dogs
Meaning: Rain very heavily.
Example: We had to cancel the outdoor picnic because it rained cats and dogs all afternoon.
21. Bell the cat
Meaning: Undertake a dangerous or difficult task that others won’t attempt.
Origin: From Aesop’s Fables — mice want to put a bell on the cat so they can hear it coming, but no one volunteers.
Example: Someone needs to bell the cat and ask the boss for a raise, but nobody wants to do it.
22. Even a cat can look at a king
Meaning: Everyone has the right to look, aspire, or participate — rank doesn’t prevent basic freedoms.
Example: The guard told the beggar to leave, but I said, “Even a cat can look at a king — let her stay.”
Idioms About Specific Concepts
23. A cat nap
Meaning: A short, light sleep during the day.
Example: I’m exhausted — I think I’ll take a cat nap before dinner.
24. A copycat
Meaning: A person who imitates someone else (already covered above as #7).
25. Cat’s cradle
Meaning: A string-and-finger game; or metaphorically, a tangled, confusing situation.
Example: The contract was a cat’s cradle of confusing clauses.
26. A cat’s eye
Meaning: A reflector set into a road to mark lane boundaries and warn drivers.
Example: The cat’s eyes on the highway helped me see the road markings in the fog.
Literal vs Figurative: Quick Comparison
| Idiom | Literal Meaning | Actual Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| The cat got your tongue? | An animal took your mouth part | Why aren’t you speaking? |
| Let the cat out of the bag | Release a feline from a container | Accidentally reveal a secret |
| Raining cats and dogs | Animals falling from the sky | Heavy rain |
| Fat cat | An overweight feline | A corrupt, greedy wealthy person |
| Curiosity killed the cat | A cat died from being curious | Excessive curiosity causes problems |
Sample Dialogues Using Cat Idioms
At the office — Gossiping about the CEO
Alex: Did you see the CEO’s new sports car? He bought it the same day he cut the staff budget.
Jordan: I know. He’s becoming a real fat cat. Meanwhile, we’re worried about layoffs.
Alex: Someone should bell the cat and ask him about it, but who’d dare?
Jordan: Not me. I’m a scaredy-cat when it comes to confrontation.
After a surprise party revelation
Mom: I can’t believe you told Katie about the party! You let the cat out of the bag!
Dad: I know, I’m sorry. She asked directly, and I wasn’t quick enough with my answer.
Mom: Well, she was like a cat on a hot tin roof when she arrived — she knew something was up but tried to hide it.
Common Mistakes Learners Make
✗ Incorrect: I don’t want to let the cat from the bag.
✓ Correct: I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag.
Why: The correct preposition is “out of,” not “from.” The idiom has a fixed form.
✗ Incorrect: When the boss left, the workers played cat and mouse in the office.
✓ Correct: When the boss left, the mice played (or, the workers followed the saying “when the cat’s away, the mice will play”).
Why: “Play cat and mouse” means to pursue or outwit someone, not to misbehave in their absence. Use “when the cat’s away” for that meaning.
✗ Incorrect: The rain was so strong I thought cats and dogs were falling.
✓ Correct: It was raining cats and dogs — the rain was very heavy.
Why: The idiom is “raining cats and dogs,” not about animals actually falling. It’s just an exaggeration for heavy rain.
Quick Quiz
- What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean? (a) Release a pet (b) Accidentally reveal a secret (c) Open a container
- If someone is “like a cat on a hot tin roof,” they are: (a) Comfortable (b) Extremely nervous (c) Lazy
- Which idiom means “there are multiple ways to reach a goal”? (a) When the cat’s away (b) There’s more than one way to skin a cat (c) Fat cat
- “Curiosity killed the cat” teaches us: (a) Cats are dangerous (b) Asking too many questions can cause trouble (c) Cats should be careful
- A “copycat” is someone who: (a) Owns cats (b) Imitates what others do (c) Studies animals
Answers: 1. (b) · 2. (b) · 3. (b) · 4. (b) · 5. (b)
Related Articles
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do English speakers use cat idioms so much?
Cats have lived alongside humans in Europe for thousands of years. Their independent, mysterious, and curious nature makes them perfect metaphors. Cats also appear in ancient folklore, superstitions (nine lives), and famous literature (Alice in Wonderland’s Cheshire Cat), which reinforced these expressions in culture.
Are cat idioms the same in all English-speaking countries?
Most common cat idioms are understood across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. However, some are more British (“fat cat” as a political insult) or American (“scaredy-cat”). Always check regional dictionaries if you’re writing for a specific audience.
Can I use cat idioms in formal writing?
Some cat idioms are fine in formal writing (curiosity killed the cat, there’s more than one way to skin a cat), while others are too informal or crude (especially “skin a cat” for formal essays). In formal business writing, use them sparingly and only when appropriate to the tone.
What’s the difference between “cat’s away” and “cat and dog”?
“When the cat’s away, the mice will play” is about authority figures being absent. “Fight like cat and dog” is about bitter arguing. They’re unrelated idioms that both happen to feature cats.
How many cat idioms exist in English?
There are at least 50-60 cat-related idioms and expressions in English, depending on regional variants and archaic expressions. This article covers the 26 most commonly used ones in modern conversation and writing.
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