What does “The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.” mean?
"The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream" means that people often try to hide their misdeeds or pretend they are innocent when they are caught doing something wrong, just like how a cat shuts its eyes to avoid detection while stealing cream.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He denied stealing the money, but it's clear that the cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream. He's just trying to avoid getting caught.
Example
She acted innocent when her friend confronted her about spreading rumors, but the cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream. She's just trying to hide her misdeeds.
Example
Instead of admitting his mistake, he tried to shift the blame onto someone else. It's a classic case of the cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream
Is “The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.” 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 “The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.” effectively in context?
You can use "The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream" to describe situations where people try to hide their misdeeds or pretend they are innocent when they are caught doing something wrong. It emphasizes the idea that people often try to avoid getting caught by denying their involvement or shifting the blame onto others. For example, if someone is caught cheating on a test and denies it despite clear evidence, you might say, 'He's just like the cat that shuts its eyes when stealing cream.'
- 1Accusation
He denied stealing the money, but it's clear that the cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream. He's just trying to avoid getting caught.
- 2Confrontation
She acted innocent when her friend confronted her about spreading rumors, but the cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream. She's just trying to hide her misdeeds.
- 3Blame-shifting
Instead of admitting his mistake, he tried to shift the blame onto someone else. It's a classic case of the cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.
Similar phrases to “The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream" is unknown.
Is “The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream" is not very common in everyday conversation. It is more commonly used in writing or when discussing moral or ethical situations.
What tone does “The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.” have?
"The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream" conveys a tone of criticism and skepticism. It suggests that the person being described is dishonest and trying to deceive others.
Can “The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream" is relatively formal and may not be used in casual conversations. It is more likely to be used in academic or literary contexts.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He denied the accusation, but it's clear that "the cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Just like "the cat shutting its eyes when stealing cream"!' to imply someone's attempt to hide their misdeeds.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- deny wrongdoing
- pretend innocence
- hide misdeeds
- avoid getting caught
- deceive others
Antonyms
- admit guilt
- take responsibility
- face the consequences
- be honest
- accept accountability
