There isn't enough room to swing a cat.

[angliholic]

There isn't enough room to swing a cat.



What does the above imply besides its facial value? Thanks.

[Anglika]

There isn't enough room to swing a cat.



What does the above imply besides its face value? Thanks.

That somewhere is very small is the only meaning I know of.


"face value" = the apparent value or nature or something.

"facial" is only used in relation to the face.

[angliholic]

That somewhere is very small is the only meaning I know of.


"face value" = the apparent value or nature or something.

"facial" is only used in relation to the face.

Thanks, Anglika, for the correction.

But I tried hard to search my memory for a related phrase--something like "in/at facial value."

By the way, does "swing a cat" mean litterally? If not, what does it refer to?

[Anglika]

It is generally thought to refer to a "cat o' nine tails" - a scourge with more than one lash.

[angliholic]

It is generally thought to refer to a "cat o' nine tails" - a scourge with more than one lash.

Thanks, Anglika.

By the way, I've found the phrase I wanted--at face value.

[Ravage]

My understanding of it was always as is referred to here:

http://www.usingenglish.com/referenc...ing+a+cat.html

[Ravage]

And there is the ever so nice swing a dead cat.

Silly way of relating the quantity or frequency of something in terms of whether you would hit one if you swung a dead cat.


"You can't swing a dead cat in here without hitting someone that finds me confusing."