cat

Universal Words noun 1 a small animal with soft fur that people often keep as a pet. Cats catch and kill birds and mice: cat food seealsoKITTEN, TOMCAT 2 a wild animal of the cat family: the big cats (= lions, TIGERS, etc.) seealsoFATCAT, WILDCAT IDIOMS be the cat's whiskers / pyjamas (informal) to be the best thing, person, idea, etc: He thinks he's the cat's whiskers (= he has a high opinion of himself). let the cat out of the bag to tell a secret carelessly or by mistake: I wanted it to be a surprise, but my sister let the cat out of the bag. like a cat on hot bricks (BrE) very nervous: She was like a cat on hot bricks before her driving test. like a cat that's got the cream very pleased with yourself SYNSMUG: She looked like a cat that's got the cream. She was almost purring with pleasure. (has the) cat got your tongue? said to sb, especially a child, who stays silent when expected to speak, for example after being asked a question look like sth the cat brought in (informal) (of a person) to look dirty and untidy not have / stand a cat in hell's chance (of doing sth) to have no chance at all play (a game of) cat and mouse with sb