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English Idioms: Catty Sayings

(2008-10-05 08:21:11) 下一個

 
be like a cat on a hot tin roof
 

Definition:
to be nervous and unable to keep still.

Example:
What's the matter with her? She's like a cat on a hot tin roof this morning.

be the cat's whiskers (British & Australian)

Definition:
to be better than everyone else.

Example:
I thought I was the cat's whiskers in my new dress.

a cat and mouse game

Definition:
play cat and mouse - to try to defeat someone by tricking them into making a mistake so that you have an advantage over them.

Example:
It's just the latest manoeuvre in the eternal cat and mouse game between the police and drug runners.

Curiosity killed the cat.

Definition:
something that you say in order to warn someone not to ask too many questions about something.

Example:
'Why are you going away so suddenly?' 'Curiosity killed the cat.'

a fat cat (informal)

Definition:
an impolite way of referring to someone who is very rich and powerful.

Example:
He's just another fat cat - a corporate tycoon from Boston.

Example:
There's a lot of resentment against fat-cat lawyers who've made huge amounts from the case.
(always before noun)

fight like cat and dog (British & Australian, British & American)

Definition:
to argue violently all the time.

Example:
We get on very well as adults but as kids we fought like cat and dog.

a grin like a Cheshire cat

Definition:
a very wide smile.

Example:
I just presumed he'd got the job because he walked in here with a grin like a Cheshire cat.


Example:
What have you got to look so happy about, walking round here grinning like a Cheshire cat?
(usually in continuous tenses)

Has the cat got your tongue?

Definition:
something that you say to someone when you are annoyed because they will not speak.

Example:
Well, has the cat got your tongue? I'm waiting for an explanation.

not have a cat in hell's chance (British)

Definition:
to have no chance at all of achieving something.

Example:
Thay haven't a cat in hell's chance of getting over the mountain in weather like this.
(usually + of + doing something)

It's raining cats and dogs! (old-fashioned)

Definition:
something that you say when it is raining very heavily.

Example:
It's raining cats and dogs out there! It's a wonder any of the men can see what they're doing!

let the cat out of the bag

Definition:
to tell people secret information, often without intending to.

Example:
I was trying to keep the party a secret, but Jim went and let the cat out of the bag.

like the cat that got the cream (British & Australian, American)

Definition:
if someone looks like the cat that got the cream, they annoy other people by looking very pleased with themselves because of something good that they have done.

Example:
Of course Mark got a glowing report so he was sitting there grinning like the cat that got the cream.

look like something the cat brought/dragged in (informal)

Definition:
if someone looks like something the cat brought in, they are very untidy and dirty.

Example:
You can't possibly go to school like that - you look like something the cat dragged in!

Look what the cat's dragged in! (informal)

Definition:
an insulting way of saying that someone has just arrived, suggesting that they are ugly and badly dressed.

Example:
Well, look what the cat's dragged in. Did you make that dress or borrow it from your mother?

play cat and mouse

Definition:
to try to defeat someone by tricking them into making a mistake so that you have an advantage over them.

Example:
The 32-year-old actress spent a large proportion of the week playing cat and mouse with the press.
(often + with)

put/set the cat among the pigeons (British & Australian)

Definition:
to do or say something that causes trouble and makes a lot of people angry or worried.

Example:
Tell them all they've got to work on Saturday. That should set the cat among the pigeons.

not room to swing a cat (informal)

Definition:
if there is not room to swing a cat in a place, that place is very small.

Example:
There isn't room to swing a cat in the third room, it's so tiny.
Get a sofa in the living room? You'll be lucky - there isn't room to swing a cat in there.

a scaredy-cat (informal)

Definition:
someone who is frightened when there is no reason to be.

Example:
Go on you scaredy-cat, jump in.

see which way the cat jumps (Australian, informal)

Definition:
to delay making a decision or doing something until you know what is going to happen or what other people are going to do.

Example:
We'd better wait and see which way the cat jumps before we commit ourselves.

There's more than one way to skin a cat. (humorous)

Definition:
something that you say which means that there are several possible ways of achieving something.

Example:
It may be illegal for them to organise a strike, but they can still show the management how they feel. There's more than one way to skin a cat, you know.

When/While the cat's away (the mice will play).

Definition:
something that you say which means when the person in authority is absent, people will not do what they should do.


Example:
Do you think it's wise to leave the children alone for so long? You know, while the cat's away...


cat got your tongue

Definition:
why are you not speaking.

Example:
After she finished the story, I kept silent. “What's the matter, cat got your tongue?” she asked.

let the cat out of the bag

Definition:
to tell something that is a secret, often without intending to.

Example:
Amazingly, not one of the people who knew about the surprise let the cat out of the bag.

play (a game of) cat and mouse

Definition:
1.
to repeatedly try to make someone react in a way that will cause them problems.

Example:
Enemy warplanes have been playing a deadly game of cat and mouse, trying to bring American fighter planes into range of their missiles.

Definition:
2.
to try to find someone who is hiding from you.

Example:
Border agents played cat and mouse with people trying to enter the country illegally.
Etymology: based on the way a cat plays with a mouse before killing it

raining cats and dogs

Definition:
to be raining in great amounts.

Example:
It was raining cats and dogs by the time I got home.



Source: http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/cat
 
  
 

 

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