IDIOMS WITH ANIMALS (cats)

1. a cat has nine lives = un gato tiene siete vidas
(Nótese que en inglés el gato tiene dos vidas más!)
2. curiosity killed the cat = it may be dangerous to be too curious
3. to fight like cats and dogs = to fight a lot
4. has a cat got your tongue? = ¿te comieron la lengua los ratones?
5. to let the cat out of the bag = to reveal a secret carelessly
6. ike a cat on hot bricks = very nervous
7. to have a cat nap = to have a short sleep
8. to play cat and mouse with somebody = to keep somebody in uncertain expectation,
treating him alternately cruelly and kindly
9. when the cat's away, the mice will play = cuando el gato no está, los ratones se divierten 10. all cats are grey in the dark = por la noche todos los gatos son pardos
11. it's raining cats and dogs = esta lloviendo a cantaros.

Exercise Choose the right answer.

1. The thief went away with all the money but he was...
to let the cat out of the bag / when the cat's away, the mice will play / like a cat on hot bricks because the police was after him.

2. Shh! This is a surprise...
don't let the cat out of the bag / set the cat among the pigeons / fight like cats and dogs.

3. Charles decided to go to work by car today because...
like a cat on hot bricks / a cat has nine lives / it's raining cats and dogs.

5. One day you like him, one day you don't. I think you are...
no room to swing a cat / set the cat among the pigeons / playing cat and mouse with him.

6. You always want to know everything about other people. Be careful...
curiosity killed the cat / like a cat on hot bricks / when the cat's away, the mice will play.

7. When the boss isn't at his office, everyone stops working. It's true...
when the cat's away, the mice will play / let the cat out of the bag / a cat has nine lives.