Buzz
It’s time to reveal a little secret: English isn’t the only language that loves to include cats in its idioms. Across the globe, languages use our feline companions to add charm and depth to their expressions. This shouldn’t be surprising—there are countless ways to approach any situation. Sprinkle these delightful international idioms into your conversations, and you’ll soon feel as pleased as a cat with a bowl of cream.
1. You’re acting like a cat circling hot porridge.
If you’re tired of the old-fashioned phrase “beat around the bush,” try this Scandinavian alternative. In Swedish, the expression att gå som katten runt het gröt, or its Danish counterpart at gå som katten om den varme grød, describes someone avoiding a direct approach, much like a cat cautiously circling a bowl of steaming porridge. While cats and porridge may not be a common pairing in your home, the imagery is clear and relatable.
2. Let’s be honest and call a cat a cat.
If porridge-related idioms don’t resonate with you, but you value straightforwardness, cats still come to the rescue. The French phrase appeler un chat un chat (also adopted in Dutch, particularly in Belgium, as een kat een kat noemen) emphasizes the importance of speaking plainly and without pretense—just like calling a cat a cat.
3. You’re acting like a shy little cat.
Even the friendliest cats can play coy when they feel like it, but we all know it’s just an act. In Indonesian, someone pretending to be reserved is described as malu-malu kucing, which translates to “shy-shy cat.”
4. What else would a cat’s son do but catch a mouse?
The saying about apples not falling far from the tree doesn’t quite capture the complexity of human behavior. Apples lack consciousness, making it hard to connect with their story. That’s where the delightful Irish expression Cad a dhéanfadh mac an chait ach luch a mharú comes in. The cat’s son, despite having free will, follows his instincts and kills a mouse, embracing his fate. Now, that’s a tale we can truly understand!
5. A cat dashed between them.
When people speculate about a mysterious rift between friends, the Russian phrase Между ними кошка пробежала (mezhdu nimi koshka probezhala) humorously suggests that a cat caused the divide. After all, who needs a logical explanation when a feline is involved?
5. My home/garden is as small as a cat’s forehead.
In Japanese, the phrase “猫の額” (neko no hitai, meaning “cat’s forehead”) is used to describe tiny spaces. Imagine the tiny-house trend gaining even more popularity if people referred to their compact homes as cat’s foreheads—or better yet, designed them to resemble one. Adorable, right?
7. There’s a hidden cat in this situation.
Anyone who’s tried to coax a cat into a carrier knows how unpredictable a trapped feline can be. Instead of saying something seems “fishy,” borrow the Spanish expression aquí hay gato encerrado to describe a suspicious scenario.
8. If you don’t have a dog, you hunt with a cat.
Cats may be skilled hunters, but they’re not exactly known for taking orders. This Portuguese saying, quem não tem cão caça com gato, reminds us to work with what we’ve got, even if it’s not the perfect solution.
9. Who else would lift a cat’s tail but the cat itself?
The Finnish phrase kuka kissan hännän nostaa ellei kissa itse encourages you to take pride in your own achievements. Instead of simply “blowing your own trumpet” or “patting yourself on the back,” this idiom frames self-praise as a sign of independence.
10. When the cat’s gone, the mice take over.
Even familiar English cat idioms can use a fresh twist. While “when the cat’s away, the mice will play” is a classic, it might underestimate the mice’s ambitions. The Swahili saying paka akiondoka, panya hutawala goes further, suggesting the mice don’t just play—they seize control.
