Proverb – When the cat’s away, the mice will play or While the cat’s away, the mice will play.
Meaning – If the person in charge of a group of people is not there, the group of people will do as they please. If a teacher or boss is not around, the students or workers will misbehave and play around – they will forget about their duties.
The cat can also refer to a partner in a relationship, the mouse being the other partner. This phrase can sometimes be used to mean that one partner is cheating on the other partner when they are away somewhere.
Cat Expressions:
- Cat (photo vocabulary)
- Cat got your tongue (idiom)
- Copycat (idiom)
- Let the cat out of the bag (idiom)
- Moggy (slang)
- Raining cats and dogs (idiom)
In The News:
What is a proverb?
A proverb is short, useful and well known expression. A proverb will state a general or obvious truth or a useful piece of advice. A proverb might teach you how to have a good life. A proverb may teach you to be healthy or kind.
Discuss:
- Is there a similar proverb in your culture?
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