What does “While the cat's away, the mouse will play” mean?
"While the cat's away, the mouse will play" means that when the person in charge is not present, others will take advantage of the situation and do things they wouldn't normally do.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The boss is on vacation, so while the cat's away, the mouse will play.
Example
The teacher stepped out of the classroom and the students started goofing off, while the cat's away, the mouse will play.
Example
My parents went out for the evening, so I invited some friends over and we had a party, while the cat's away, the mouse will play
Is “While the cat's away, the mouse will play” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“While the cat's away, the mouse will play” 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 “While the cat's away, the mouse will play” effectively in context?
You can use "While the cat's away, the mouse will play" to describe a situation where people take advantage of someone's absence to do things they wouldn't normally do. It implies that without supervision or authority figure, people tend to indulge in mischief or behave in a more relaxed manner. For example, if your boss is on vacation, you might say, 'Well, "while the cat's away, the mouse will play", let's have a casual dress code this week.'
- 1Work
The manager went on a business trip, and the employees decided to play by taking extended lunch breaks and leaving early.
- 2School
The substitute teacher was not strict, so the students thought the cat's away, the mouse will play and started chatting and not paying attention in class.
- 3Home
When their parents went out for the evening, the children thought the cat's away, the mouse will play and threw a party without permission.
Similar phrases to “While the cat's away, the mouse will play”:
Similar to *While the cat's away, the mouse will play*, it means that when the person in charge is not present, others will take advantage of the situation and do things they wouldn't normally do.
Example
The supervisor left early, and when the cat's away, the mice will play, the employees started slacking off.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “While the cat's away, the mouse will play” come from?
The origin of the phrase "While the cat's away, the mouse will play" is unknown.
Is “While the cat's away, the mouse will play” common in everyday conversation?
"While the cat's away, the mouse will play" is a fairly common expression in everyday conversation. It's often used to describe situations where people take advantage of someone's absence to do things they wouldn't normally do.
What tone does “While the cat's away, the mouse will play” have?
"While the cat's away, the mouse will play" conveys a tone of mischief and relaxation. It suggests that people tend to let loose and have fun when there is no authority figure present.
Can “While the cat's away, the mouse will play” be used in informal and formal settings?
"While the cat's away, the mouse will play" is a relatively informal expression. It's commonly used in casual conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. However, it may not be suitable for more formal settings such as professional meetings or presentations.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The teacher left the classroom, and "while the cat's away, the mouse will play", the students started goofing off.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying '"While the cat's away, the mouse will play"' to imply that someone is taking advantage of an opportunity.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- seize the opportunity
- take advantage of the situation
- exploit the absence
- indulge in mischief
- enjoy freedom
Antonyms
- behave properly
- follow the rules
- respect authority
- refrain from mischief
- observe discipline
