What does “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs” mean?
"Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs" means being extremely anxious or jumpy.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs before his big presentation.
Example
The dog was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs during the thunderstorm.
Example
She felt nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs while waiting for her exam results
Is “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs” 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 “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs” effectively in context?
You can use "Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs" to describe someone who is extremely anxious or jumpy. It emphasizes the level of nervousness and creates a vivid image of a cat surrounded by moving rocking chairs. For example, if a friend is feeling very anxious before a job interview, you might say, 'Don't worry, just be yourself. There's no need to be as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.'
- 1Public Speaking
He was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs before his big presentation.
- 2Fear of Thunderstorms
The dog was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs during the thunderstorm.
- 3Waiting for Results
She felt nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs while waiting for her exam results.
Similar phrases to “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs”:
Nail-biting
Causing great anxiety or tension
Example
The suspenseful movie was nail-biting until the end.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs" is unknown.
Is “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs" is not very common in everyday conversation. It is more often used in creative writing or storytelling to create a vivid image of extreme nervousness.
What tone does “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs” have?
"Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs" conveys a tone of heightened anxiety and unease. It is used to emphasize the intensity of someone's nervousness.
Can “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs" is informal and is typically used in casual conversations or informal writing. It may not be suitable for formal situations.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs before his big presentation.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Feeling "nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs"?' to inquire about someone's anxiety.
