Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
play-cat-and-mouse
idiom
/pleɪ kæɾ ənd maʊs/
Definition
To engage in a deceptive or cunning contest, often involving a pursuit where one party plays tricks on the other.
Examples
- After weeks of negotiations, they started to play cat-and-mouse with their plans for the merger.
- The detective found herself playing cat-and-mouse with the elusive criminal.
- Children often like to play cat-and-mouse games in the park.
Meaning
This phrase describes a situation where one person (the ‘cat’) tries to catch another (the ‘mouse’), but the mouse evades capture through clever tricks or evasive maneuvers. It often implies teasing or a prolonged game of chase.
Synonyms
- toying with
- leading on
- duping
- teasing
