Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
game of cat and mouse
idiom
/ɡeɪm əv kæt ənd maʊs/
Definition
A situation in which one party pursues another while avoiding capture, often involving cleverness and manipulation.
Examples
- The detective and the criminal engaged in a game of cat and mouse for months before the criminal was finally caught.
- In negotiations, it’s often a game of cat and mouse, with both sides trying to outmaneuver each other.
Meaning
The phrase refers to a strategic struggle between two parties where one party seeks to outsmart the other in a playful yet serious manner.
Synonyms
- chase
- pursuit
- hide-and-seek
- tug-of-war
- strategic play
