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Suggested terms: VOA Special English Program Words, Their Stories
Click one for hint, twice for full word
look like the cat that ate the canary
Meaning: To look very proud, pleased, or satisfied with oneself.
Example: After winning the award, he looked like the cat that ate the canary.
play cat and mouse
Meaning: To tease, trick, or confuse someone by changing behavior repeatedly.
Example: The negotiators played cat and mouse for hours before reaching an agreement.
let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret, often by accident.
Example: She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
when the cat’s away, the mice will play
Meaning: People misbehave or relax rules when the person in charge is gone.
Example: The students got noisy—when the cat’s away, the mice will play.
curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being too curious about things that are not your business can cause trouble.
Example: Don’t ask too many questions—curiosity killed the cat.
copycat
IPA (UK): /ˈkɒp.i.kæt/
IPA (US): /ˈkɑː.pi.kæt/
Meaning: A person who imitates someone else’s actions or work.
Meaning: A person who imitates someone else’s actions or work.
Example: He called his little brother a copycat for copying his homework style.
fraidy cat / scaredy cat
IPA (UK): /ˈfreɪ.di kæt/
IPA (US): /ˈsker.di kæt/
Meaning: A person who is easily frightened.
Meaning: A person who is easily frightened.
Example: Don’t be such a scaredy cat—it’s only a movie!
catnap
IPA (UK): /ˈkæt.næp/
IPA (US): /ˈkæt.næp/
Meaning: A short, light sleep during the day.
Meaning: A short, light sleep during the day.
Example: He took a quick catnap before returning to work.
fat cat
IPA (UK): /ˌfæt ˈkæt/
IPA (US): /ˌfæt ˈkæt/
Meaning: A wealthy and powerful person, often in business or politics.
Meaning: A wealthy and powerful person, often in business or politics.
Example: The company’s fat cats received huge bonuses this year.
herding cats
IPA (UK): /ˈhɜː.dɪŋ kæts/
IPA (US): /ˈhɝː.dɪŋ kæts/
Meaning: A task that is extremely difficult or impossible to organize.
Meaning: A task that is extremely difficult or impossible to organize.
Example: Getting everyone to agree on a plan felt like herding cats.
Other Listening Exercises
Cat Expressions
In progressB2 · 4:49