Idiom meaning, usage examples, facts

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W Y
WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY, THE MICE WILL PLAY
people do what they want, or misbehave when their boss or another person in authority is away
 WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY, THE MICE WILL PLAY
1. While the bosses are out of the room, the workers watch the game – a case of while the cat's away the mice will play.
2. As soon as their parents left, the children invited all their friends over — when the cat's away, you know.

This expression has been a proverb since about 1600 and is so well known it is often shortened to 'When the cat's away, you know'.


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