C
Idioms beginning with "C"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
No categories:
Contents of C:
[cat]
See:
[COPY CAT],
[CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT],
[FRAIDY-CAT] or [FRAID-CAT] or [SCAREDY CAT OY SCARED-CAT],
[HOLY CATS],
[LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG],
[LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY],
[PLAY CAT AND MOUSE WITH],
[RAIN CATS AND DOGS].
[cat got one's tongue]
You are not able or willing to talk because of shyness. Usually used about children or as a question to children.
Tommy's father asked Tommy if the cat had got his tongue.
* /The little girl had a poem to recite, but the cat […]
[cat has nine lives]
A cat can move so fast and jump so well that he seems to escape being killed many times.
We thought our cat would be killed when he fell from the roof of the house. He was not, but he used up one of his nine lives.
[cat's meow] or [cat's pajamas] {n.}, {slang}
Something very wonderful, special, or good.
John's new hike is really the cat's meow.
Mary's party is going to be the cat's pajamas.
[catch (someone) dead] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To see or hear (someone) in an embarrassing act or place at any time. Used in the negative usually in the passive.
You won't catch Bill dead taking his sister to the movies.
* /John wouldn't be caught […]
[catch at] {v.}
1. To try to catch suddenly; grab for.
The boy on the merry-go-round caught at the brass ring, but did not get it.
2. To seize quickly; accept mentally or physically.
The hungry man caught at the sandwich and began to eat.
* […]
[catch cold] {v. phr.}
1. or [take cold]
To get a common cold-weather sickness that causes a running nose, sneezing, and sometimes sore throat and fever or other symptoms.
Don't get your feet wet or you'll catch cold.
2. {informal}
To catch […]
[catch fire] {v. phr.}
1. To begin to burn.
When he dropped a match in the leaves, they caught fire.
2. To become excited.
The audience caught fire at the speaker's words and began to cheer.
His imagination caught fire as he read.