Cat idioms from funny expressions like “Cat’s pajamas” to common phrases like “Scaredy-cat,” each saying has a specific meaning and usage. Understanding these expressions or phrases can enhance communication of figurative language. I share 27 cat-related idioms with meanings and examples to illustrate their usage in everyday language.
List of 27 idioms for cats
- Cat’s pajamas
- Like a cat on a hot tin roof
- Fat cat
- Cat’s meow
- Cat got your tongue?
- Let the cat out of the bag
- Cool cat
- Scaredy-cat
- Cat nap
- Look what the cat dragged in
- Fight like cats and dogs
- More than one way to skin a cat
- Copycat
- Cat’s whiskers
- Grinning like a Cheshire cat
- Cat has nine lives
- Cat in the bag
- Herding cats
- Cat’s out of the bag
- Cat and mouse game
- Rain cats and dogs
- Cat and dog life
- Dog-tired
- Cat and mouse
- Play cat and mouse
- Rat race
- Smell a rat
Funny Idioms for Cat
Cat’s pajamas
Meaning: Something excellent
Example: “That new car is the cat’s pajamas!”
Like a cat on a hot tin roof
Meaning: Very nervous
Example: “She was like a cat on a hot tin roof before the interview.”
Fat cat
Meaning: Wealthy person
Example: “The fat cats in the boardroom made the final decision.”
Best Idioms for Cat
Cat’s meow
Meaning: Excellent
Example: “Her dress is the cat’s meow.”
Cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Speechless
Example: “Why are you so quiet? Cat got your tongue?”
Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Reveal a secret
Example: “Who let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party?”
Cool cat
Meaning: Relaxed person
Example: “He’s such a cool cat, never stressed about anything.”
Scaredy-cat
Meaning: Coward
Example: “Don’t be such a scaredy-cat; it’s just a movie.”
Cat nap
Meaning: Short sleep
Example: “I took a quick cat nap before dinner.”
Look what the cat dragged in
Meaning: Someone arrives in poor condition
Example: “Well, look what the cat dragged in!”
Fight like cats and dogs
Meaning: Argue intensely
Example: “Those two fight like cats and dogs over everything.”
More than one way to skin a cat
Meaning: Many ways to achieve something
Example: “Don’t worry, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.”
Copycat
Meaning: Imitator
Example: “Stop being a copycat and think of your own ideas.”
Cat’s whiskers
Meaning: Excellent
Example: “That idea is the cat’s whiskers!”
Grinning like a Cheshire cat
Meaning: Broad smile
Example: “He was grinning like a Cheshire cat after winning the game.”
Cat has nine lives
Meaning: Survive many accidents
Example: “That stuntman must have nine lives!”
Cat in the bag
Meaning: A sure thing
Example: “The deal is a cat in the bag; it’ll close soon.”
Herding cats
Meaning: Difficult task
Example: “Managing this team is like herding cats.”
Cat’s out of the bag
Meaning: Secret revealed
Example: “Well, the cat’s out of the bag about our project.”
Cat and mouse game
Meaning: Deceptive pursuit
Example: “They’re playing a cat and mouse game with negotiations.”
Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Too much curiosity can be dangerous
Example: “You shouldn’t snoop; curiosity killed the cat.”
Idioms for Cat and Dog
Rain cats and dogs
Meaning: Heavy rain
Example: “It’s raining cats and dogs outside.”
Fight like cats and dogs
Meaning: Argue intensely
Example: “They always fight like cats and dogs.”
Dog-tired
Meaning: Extremely tired
Example: “After the hike, I was dog-tired.”
Cat and dog life
Meaning: Quarrelsome relationship
Example: “They have a cat and dog life, always arguing.”
Idioms for Cat and Rat
Cat and mouse
Meaning: Deceptive pursuit
Example: “Their negotiation tactics are like a cat and mouse game.”
Play cat and mouse
Meaning: Tease or trick
Example: “They played cat and mouse with their competitors.”
Rat race
Meaning: Competitive struggle
Example: “He left the corporate rat race for a simpler life.”
Smell a rat
Meaning: Suspect something wrong
Example: “I smell a rat; something’s not right with this deal.”
1. What are some funny idioms involving cats?
Funny cat idioms include “Cat’s pajamas,” which means something excellent, and “Curiosity killed the cat,” which warns about the dangers of being too curious.
2. How do cat idioms enhance communication?
Cat idioms add color and humor to language. For example, “Scaredy-cat” describes someone easily frightened, making conversations more vivid and engaging.
3. Why do we use cat idioms?
Cat idioms are popular because they convey complex ideas in a simple, relatable way. Animals Phrases like “Fight like cats and dogs” depict intense arguments, making abstract concepts easier to understand.
4. Is “raining cats and dogs” an idiom?
Yes, “raining cats and dogs” is an idiom. It means heavy rain and is used to describe a downpour in a vivid and humorous way.
