What does “Cat's lick” mean?
"Cat's lick" means performing a quick and superficial cleaning or tidying up.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I just gave the kitchen a cat's lick before the guests arrived.
Example
She didn't have time to fully clean the house, so she just did a cat's lick.
Example
After the party, they did a cat's lick of the living room to tidy up
Is “Cat's lick” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Cat's lick” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Cat's lick” effectively in context?
You can use "Cat's lick" to describe a quick and superficial cleaning or tidying up. It implies that the cleaning or tidying is not thorough or extensive. For example, if someone quickly wipes down a table before guests arrive, you might say, 'They just gave it a cat's lick.'
- 1Before Guests Arrive
I just gave the kitchen a cat's lick before the guests arrived.
- 2Limited Time
She didn't have time to fully clean the house, so she just did a cat's lick.
- 3Post-Party Cleanup
After the party, they did a cat's lick of the living room to tidy up.
Similar phrases to “Cat's lick”:
Quick once-over
A brief and cursory cleaning or inspection
Example
She gave the room a quick once-over before leaving.
Superficial tidy
A quick and shallow tidying up
Example
They did a superficial tidy of the living room after the party.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Cat's lick” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Cat's lick" is unknown.
Is “Cat's lick” common in everyday conversation?
"Cat's lick" is not a very common phrase in everyday conversation. It is more likely to be used in informal settings or among friends and family.
What tone does “Cat's lick” have?
"Cat's lick" conveys a casual and relaxed tone. It suggests a quick and easy approach to cleaning or tidying up, without much effort or attention to detail.
Can “Cat's lick” be used in informal and formal settings?
"Cat's lick" is considered informal and is more commonly used in casual conversations rather than formal settings. It may not be appropriate to use in professional or formal contexts.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is more common to use "Cat's lick" as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She quickly did a cat's lick of the house before the guests arrived.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time for a "cat's lick"!' to imply the need for a quick cleanup.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- quick clean
- superficial clean
- rushed cleanup
- hasty tidying
Antonyms
- thorough cleaning
- deep clean
- meticulous tidying
