cat
A small animal with fur, four legs, and a tail that people often keep as a pet.
A small domesticated carnivorous mammal (Felis catus) kept as a pet or for catching mice, typically with soft fur, a short snout, and retractable claws.
An informal word for a man, often used in music or art circles.
(Informal) A man, especially one involved in jazz or popular culture; sometimes used to refer to a person in general.
A part of a car that helps clean the gases before they leave the exhaust pipe.
(Technical) A device in the exhaust system of a vehicle that reduces harmful emissions by catalyzing a redox reaction.
- Base: cat
- Plural: cats
like a cat on a hot tin roof
1Extremely nervous or restless
Very nervous or unable to stay still.
- She was like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for her exam results.
- He paced around like a cat on a hot tin roof.
look like the cat that got the cream
1Look very self-satisfied
To look very happy and proud because you got what you wanted.
- After winning the award, he looked like the cat that got the cream.
- She came back from the meeting looking like the cat that got the cream.
copycat
1A person who imitates others
Someone who does the same things as another person.
- Don't be such a copycat; find your own ideas.
- Don't be such a copycat—think of your own ideas.
- Her little brother is always being a copycat.
- She called him a copycat for wearing the same outfit.
curiosity killed the cat
1warning against being too curious
Used to warn someone that asking too many questions or being too interested could cause problems.
- Don't ask too many questions—curiosity killed the cat.
- Be careful asking about his past—curiosity killed the cat.
- He kept digging into their private affairs, but curiosity killed the cat.
- I know you want to look, but remember, curiosity killed the cat.
let the cat out of the bag
1Reveal a secret by mistake
To tell something secret by accident or too soon.
- I was trying to keep it a surprise, but John let the cat out of the bag.
- She let the cat out of the bag about their engagement.
let the cat out of the bag
2Reveal a secret too soon
To tell someone a secret by mistake or too early.
- He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
- Don't let the cat out of the bag before her birthday.