| 释义 |
cat and mouse
Thesaurus| Noun | 1. | cat and mouse - a game for children in which the players form a circle and join hands; they raise their hands to let a player inside the circle or lower their hands to bar a second player who is chasing the firstcat and ratchild's game - a game enjoyed by children |
cat and mouse
cat and mouse1. A phrase used to describe the suspenseful relationship between one being pursued and the pursuer. We've been hiding out here for days, and I can't handle this cat and mouse game any longer—I'm calling the police!2. A phrase that describes how one plays with or teases someone before turning violent or vicious, likened to the way in which a cat toys with a mouse before killing it. If we have any hopes of getting the prisoner to crack, we need to play a cat and mouse game now, in the early stages of the interrogation.3. A game in which children stand in a circle and raise their arms to let one player into the middle. Then, they lower their arms to keep out a second player, who is chasing the first. Let's play cat and mouse! I'll go first—everybody else, circle up!See also: and, cat, mouse(play) cat and ˈmouse (with somebody) (informal) (keep somebody) in a state of uncertainty, being sometimes kind, sometimes cruel: The police were playing cat and mouse with him; letting him feel safe in the hope that he would make a mistake and then they could arrest him. ♢ The authorities have been playing a cat-and-mouse game with the protestors.This expression refers to the way a cat plays with a mouse before killing it.See also: and, cat, mousecat and mouse, game of/to playToying with a helpless opponent or victim. The cat, ready to pounce, was recorded by Jonathan Swift (“She watches him as a cat would watch a mouse”). The cat-mouse analogy most often has been applied to authorities who may do as they wish with those in their power. See also: and, cat, game, of, playcat and mouse
Related to cat and mouse: Tom and JerrySynonyms for cat and mousenoun a game for children in which the players form a circle and join handsSynonymsRelated Words |