Are you a cat or a dog person? Either way, here are some idioms with cats, which you can use in your everyday English conversations.
- Let the cat out of the bag
Reveal a secret.
- Has the cat got your tongue?
Used when someone doesn’t give an answer, for example to an awkward question.
- Copycat
Someone who copies someone else.
- Cat nap
A very short sleep.
- Fight like cats and dogs
Fight all the time.
- Play cat and mouse
Trying to trick someone into making a mistake so you can defeat them.
- It’s raining cats and dogs
It is raining heavily.
Idioms are a great way to make our conversations more interesting. Some are quite easy to understand and others are a bit trickier.
Next time you’re reading, listening or watching something in English, try to note down any idioms and focus on the way in which they are used, for example the tone and what the topic is generally about.
Can you think of any other animal idioms that we use in everyday English? Here are a few common ones:
- in the dog house – in trouble with another person
- kill two birds with one stone – get two things done at once
- the birds and the bees – sex education
- dropping like flies – dying / giving up quickly
- eager beaver – a person who is excited about doing certain work
If you know some more idioms with cats then get in touch!
