Meaning of 'While the cat's away, the mouse will play'
What does the saying 'While the cat's away, the mouse will play' mean?
Idiom: While the cat's away, the mouse will play
Meaning:
People whose behaviour is strictly controlled go over the top when the authority is not around, which is why most teenagers have parties when their parents have gone on holiday. The parents are the scary authority figures, but the cat's away and the kids are the mice partying and enjoying their freedom.
Country: International English |
Subject Area: Animals |
Usage Type: Both or All Words Used
All idioms have been editorially reviewed. Submitted idioms may have been edited for correctness and completeness.
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