Cat-and-mouse

What Does "Cat-and-mouse" Mean?

"Cat-and-mouse" is an English idiom. It means "a situation characterized by two parties engaged in a constant back-and-forth."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "cat-and-mouse" used in a sentence:

• The detective played a cat-and-mouse game with the thief.
• The two teams were in a cat-and-mouse chase till the last minute.
• Their relationship is like a cat-and-mouse game.

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Cat-and-mouse" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

A Quick Test

You now know what "cat-and-mouse" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see! Show Instructions