Phrases.com »

Phrases related to: when the cat's away the mice will play Page #3

Yee yee! We've found 900 phrases and idioms matching when the cat's away the mice will play.

Sort:RelevancyA - Z
a hornet's nest .An unpleasent situation Raising controversy A troublesome situation.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
all work and no play makes jack a dull boyToo much focus on one's career is often viewed unfavorably.Too much hard work and not enough leisure time can be unhealthy.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
bring (one's) a-gamerefers to bringing maximum effort, focus and undeniable commitment; an encouragement to do your best with no excuses; giving it your allRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
bygones be bygones, and fair play for time to comeLet all past wrongs be forgotten, with a resumption of cordial relations.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
can't see the forest for the treesTo miss the major things while only seeing the minor details; to overlook the entire situation due to focusing on small aspectsRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
jump someone's bonesTo have sex.Rate it:

(5.00 / 3 votes)
play downTo make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.Rate it:

(5.00 / 5 votes)
play it by earTo do something by guessing, intuition, or trial and error; to react to events as they occur.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
play the giddy goatto behave wildly, irresponsibly.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
play upTo make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely or obvious; to showcase or highlight.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
play with house moneyTo act as if or be in a situation that, no matter the outcome, there is virtually no significant downside or risk; commonly used to refer to using already won funds (gambled money, casino winnings, etc.) to finance an endeavor (or continue to gamble) such that there is no real, perceivable or potential lossRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
up and at 'emVigorously launched or launching into an activity; Also used to mean promptly awake and ready to start the day or given as a command to wake up, get out of bed, and get busy with activitiesRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
what's good for the goose is good for the ganderAny decision or rule that applies to one person must be applied to the others especially of the same group.Rate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
you can't win if you don't playUnless or until you don't play , you cannot win .Rate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
it's a zoo out thereThings/conditions/situations are chaotic, disordered, unpredictableRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
let's not and say we didIndicates that the speaker does not agree with a proposed action and does not wish to participate; often said as a joke--sometimes as an expression that the speaker doesn't want to do the proposed action or to indicate that they are happy doing what they are doing and don't want to change that by doing the proposed actionRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
play aroundTo behave in a silly, or childish, or irresponsible way.Rate it:

(4.00 / 8 votes)
play it coolto act coolRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
to be on someone's assTo annoy someone by refusing to leave them alone.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
turn about is fair playMy business partner came up to Me the week before Halloween to notify that he was leaving for two weeks in Florida 'cause is wife was tired.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
play upTo misbehave.Rate it:

(3.80 / 5 votes)
stick it where the sun don't shinea sarcastic way of expressing disgust to someone; akin to telling someone where to goRate it:

(3.33 / 3 votes)
bee in one's bonnetan idea, which is thought to be crazy or exciting; someone’s particular interest, concern or obsession with somethingRate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
child's playSomething particularly simple or easy.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
play one's cards rightTo act sensibly; to make the right moves.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
you can't make this stuff upThe reality is so bizarre, ironic, or comically coincidental as to be unbelievable.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
play alongTo take part in a charade, deception, or practical joke.Rate it:

(2.00 / 2 votes)
play aroundTo engage in sexual practices outside of marriage.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
play aroundTo work with in a non-serious manner.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
play by earTo play guided by one's memory of the sound, rather than from a written score.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
play to winTo make a special, determined effort to achieve general success or a particular goal, in life, in one's career, in negotiation, etc.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
play with fireCommit one's self to do something extraordinary, dangerous, illegal, actions taken, lacking good judgement.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
two can play that gameThe tactics and/or strategies of an enemy can be used against him.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
bug in one's bonnetSomething that makes someone act crazy or excites them or is of particular interest or concern to them; something that bothers or irritates someone; a lesser known version of the expression “bee in one’s bonnet”Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
hold one's waternot have to pee; try not to urinateRate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
play old harryBlenkiron and I have been moving in the best circles as skilled American engineers who are going to play Old Harry with the British on the Tigris. — John Buchan, "Greenmantle", 1916..Rate it:

(1.00 / 2 votes)
play on wordsA pun, or similar humorous use of language such as a double entendre.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
play the race cardMark Fuhrman, Murder in Brentwood p.153.Rate it:

(1.00 / 3 votes)
play to winTo play in an especially competitive, committed manner, focused intently on winning.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
'atta girlUsed to show encouragement or approval to a girl or woman. Female version of attaboy.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
"lord god, don't let the noise of the world keep me from hearing you."something someone says that they will be able to get or hear an answer to their prayer without worldly things getting in the way of being able to receive itRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
"we're peanut butter and jelly"by Curtis Lassiter to describe his extraordinarily unbreakable bond with daughter Renowned Global Activist Greshun De Bouse, and to describe how neither of them is good or as good without the other-like peanut butter and jelly #curtislassiter #activistdebouseRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
against the run of playContrary to the flow of the game.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
ain't that some shit?How surprisingRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
and don't play one on TVA term often used after a person claims to have no expertise in a topic of discussion, but still wants to contribute a comment.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
back on one's heelsIn a state of unease, surprise, or bewilderment, especially such that one's functioning or performance is detracted upon; Forced into a position of disadvantage, retreat, or poor performanceRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
beat the livin' daylights outta yaTo beat someone severely.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
bee in one's bonnetSomething that makes someone act crazy or excites them or is of particular interest or concern to them; something that bothers or irritates someone; a lesser known version of this expression is “bug in one’s bonnet”Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
beggars can't be choosers(proverb) When resources are limited, one must accept even substandard things.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
bumpin' ugliesmaking love; having sex (We never really say "bumping uglies", it's always shortened to bumpin' with the g silent)Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)

We need you!

Help us build the largest human-edited phrases collection on the web!

Alternative searches for when the cat's away the mice will play:

Quiz

Are you a phrases master?

»
No more excuses. It's time to ________ up the money.
A cough
B send
C throw
D bring

Browse Phrases.com