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Whip the Cat

What Does "Whip the Cat" Mean?

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"Whip the cat" is an English idiom. It means "to punish oneself or suffer from guilt."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "whip the cat" used in a sentence:
  • Stop whipping the cat; everyone makes mistakes.
  • He's been whipping the cat ever since he lost his friend's money in a bad investment.
meaning for whip the cat

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 "Whip the Cat" 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.

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