cat
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++cat /kæt/ ●●● S1 W3 noun [countable] 1 
ANIMAL a) DHPa small animal with four legs that people often keep as a pet 猫 → felinetabby/ginger/tortoiseshell etc cat (=colours of cats) 斑猫/姜黄色猫/花斑家猫等 a tom cat (=a male cat) 公猫，雄猫 b) HBA (also big cat) a large animal such as a lion or tiger 大型猫科动物〔如狮、虎〕2. let the cat out of the bag TELL A SECRETto tell someone a secret, especially without intending to 〔尤指无意中〕泄露秘密，露出马脚3. put/set the cat among the pigeons PROBLEMto do or say something that causes arguments, trouble etc 惹出乱子，引起麻烦4 play (a game of) cat and mouse (with somebody) PREVENTto pretend to allow someone to do or have what they want, and then to stop them from doing or having it （跟某人）玩猫捉老鼠的游戏，愚弄（某人） The police played an elaborate game of cat and mouse to trap him. 警方跟他玩了一场精心布局的猫捉老鼠游戏，诱他落网。5 the cat’s whiskers/pyjamas informal something or someone that is better than everything else 最棒的东西[人] I really thought I looked the cat’s whiskers in that dress. 我确实认为穿那条连衣裙让我看起来最漂亮。6. like a cat on hot bricks British English, like a cat on a hot tin roof American EnglishNERVOUS so nervous or anxious that you cannot keep still or keep your attention on one thing 像热锅上的蚂蚁，坐立不安，心神不定7 not stand/have a cat in hell’s chance (of doing something) informal to not have any chance of succeeding （做某事）毫无成功的希望 They don’t have a cat in hell’s chance of being elected. 他们没有任何希望当选。8. when the cat’s away (the mice will play) used to say that people will not behave well when the person who has authority over them is not there 猫儿不在，老鼠作怪；上司不在，下属胡来9. like the cat that got the cream British English, like the cat that ate the canary American English informal very proud or pleased because of something you have achieved or got 扬扬得意，踌躇满志10. look like something the cat dragged/brought in British English informal to look very dirty or untidy 衣衫褴褛；脏乱不堪 → raining cats and dogs at rain2(1), → there’s not enough room to swing a cat at room1(5)n COLLOCATIONSadjectivesa pet cat (=one that you care for in your home)Lucy had a horse and a pet cat of her own.a domestic cat (=one that lives with people)People have kept domestic cats for thousands of years.a tabby cat (=which has dark and light lines on brown or grey fur)They had a 12-year-old tabby cat.a ginger cat (=which has orange-brown fur)I've always wanted a ginger cat.a feral cat (=one that lives in groups with other cats but has no home)The small fishing village was full of feral cats.a stray cat (=one that has lost its home)He found a stray cat and started feeding it.a wild cat (=a type of cat that does not live with people)The African wild cat is bigger than ordinary domestic cats.big cats (=lions, tigers etc)All 36 species of big cat are vulnerable or endangered.verbsa cat miaows/mews (=makes a small noise)The cat was miaowing outside the door.a cat purrs (=makes a soft noise that shows pleasure)The cat purred as she stroked it.a cat hisses (=makes a low noise that shows fear or anger)Cats sometimes hiss at dogs.a cat scratches somebodyIf a cat gets angry, it may scratch you with its claws.a cat leaps/springsThen the cat leapt up into the tree.a cat pounces on something (=jumps on something and catches it)The cat was hiding, waiting to pounce on the bird.have a catWe always had a cat when I was young.feed a catShe comes in while we're away to feed the cat.stroke a catOur cat won't let you stroke it.cat + NOUNcat foodHe bought some cans of cat food.cat litter (=small grains for a cat to use as a toilet inside the house)You should change cat litter daily.a cat flap (=a special door for a cat to go in and out of a house)The cat was getting too fat to fit through the cat flap.a cat ownerIt is estimated that around 64 million Americans are cat owners.phraseslet/put the cat out (=let it or make it go outside)Can you let the cat out?
ANIMAL a) DHPa small animal with four legs that people often keep as a pet 猫 → felinetabby/ginger/tortoiseshell etc cat (=colours of cats) 斑猫/姜黄色猫/花斑家猫等 a tom cat (=a male cat) 公猫，雄猫 b) HBA (also big cat) a large animal such as a lion or tiger 大型猫科动物〔如狮、虎〕2. let the cat out of the bag TELL A SECRETto tell someone a secret, especially without intending to 〔尤指无意中〕泄露秘密，露出马脚3. put/set the cat among the pigeons PROBLEMto do or say something that causes arguments, trouble etc 惹出乱子，引起麻烦4 play (a game of) cat and mouse (with somebody) PREVENTto pretend to allow someone to do or have what they want, and then to stop them from doing or having it （跟某人）玩猫捉老鼠的游戏，愚弄（某人） The police played an elaborate game of cat and mouse to trap him. 警方跟他玩了一场精心布局的猫捉老鼠游戏，诱他落网。5 the cat’s whiskers/pyjamas informal something or someone that is better than everything else 最棒的东西[人] I really thought I looked the cat’s whiskers in that dress. 我确实认为穿那条连衣裙让我看起来最漂亮。6. like a cat on hot bricks British English, like a cat on a hot tin roof American EnglishNERVOUS so nervous or anxious that you cannot keep still or keep your attention on one thing 像热锅上的蚂蚁，坐立不安，心神不定7 not stand/have a cat in hell’s chance (of doing something) informal to not have any chance of succeeding （做某事）毫无成功的希望 They don’t have a cat in hell’s chance of being elected. 他们没有任何希望当选。8. when the cat’s away (the mice will play) used to say that people will not behave well when the person who has authority over them is not there 猫儿不在，老鼠作怪；上司不在，下属胡来9. like the cat that got the cream British English, like the cat that ate the canary American English informal very proud or pleased because of something you have achieved or got 扬扬得意，踌躇满志10. look like something the cat dragged/brought in British English informal to look very dirty or untidy 衣衫褴褛；脏乱不堪 → raining cats and dogs at rain2(1), → there’s not enough room to swing a cat at room1(5)n COLLOCATIONSadjectivesa pet cat (=one that you care for in your home)Lucy had a horse and a pet cat of her own.a domestic cat (=one that lives with people)People have kept domestic cats for thousands of years.a tabby cat (=which has dark and light lines on brown or grey fur)They had a 12-year-old tabby cat.a ginger cat (=which has orange-brown fur)I've always wanted a ginger cat.a feral cat (=one that lives in groups with other cats but has no home)The small fishing village was full of feral cats.a stray cat (=one that has lost its home)He found a stray cat and started feeding it.a wild cat (=a type of cat that does not live with people)The African wild cat is bigger than ordinary domestic cats.big cats (=lions, tigers etc)All 36 species of big cat are vulnerable or endangered.verbsa cat miaows/mews (=makes a small noise)The cat was miaowing outside the door.a cat purrs (=makes a soft noise that shows pleasure)The cat purred as she stroked it.a cat hisses (=makes a low noise that shows fear or anger)Cats sometimes hiss at dogs.a cat scratches somebodyIf a cat gets angry, it may scratch you with its claws.a cat leaps/springsThen the cat leapt up into the tree.a cat pounces on something (=jumps on something and catches it)The cat was hiding, waiting to pounce on the bird.have a catWe always had a cat when I was young.feed a catShe comes in while we're away to feed the cat.stroke a catOur cat won't let you stroke it.cat + NOUNcat foodHe bought some cans of cat food.cat litter (=small grains for a cat to use as a toilet inside the house)You should change cat litter daily.a cat flap (=a special door for a cat to go in and out of a house)The cat was getting too fat to fit through the cat flap.a cat ownerIt is estimated that around 64 million Americans are cat owners.phraseslet/put the cat out (=let it or make it go outside)Can you let the cat out?Examples from the Corpus
cat• The next day Richard got a cat.• What falling ill means to a cat, or any other animal, is that something unpleasant is threatening it.• She travelled in a chariot drawn by cats, the latter being her sacred animal symbol and familiars.• That Jefferson is one cool cat.• Mr Cruitt says ad spending will triple this year, when the company will begin promoting the cat version of the drug.• Two cats add to the homely feel, as does the lively Caps Restaurant and Bar.• No one was about except a black and white cat asleep in the sun.tabby/ginger/tortoiseshell etc cat• First, what exactly is a tortoiseshell cat?• For some reason we do not fully understand, the blotched tabby cat was a winner.• It was Rats, Molly's huge tortoiseshell cat.• A large, tabby cat came in, sniffed round his shoes then jumped up on his lap.• A visible example of X chromosome inactivation is the tortoiseshell cat.• What is the history of the tabby cat?• The tortoiseshell cat was found wounded and frightened in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, and brought to an animal sanctuary.nCAT nin the past, the British Government guide to standards for the Individual Saving Accounts (ISA ) introduced in 1999. It stands for reasonable Cost, easy Access, decent Terms. CAT was replaced by stakeholder ISAs in 2005.Origin cat Old English catt, probably from Latin cattus, cattacat noun →n COLLOCATIONS1CATLDOCE OnlineChinese
animal legs four that Corpus with a small
cat
cat S1 W3 /kæt/
noun [countable]
a. a small animal with four legs that people often keep as a pet. ⇨ feline
tabby/ginger/tortoiseshell etc cat (=colours of cats)
a tom cat (=a male cat)
b. (also big cat) a large animal such as a lion or tiger
2. let the cat out of the bag to tell someone a secret, especially without intending to
3. put/set the cat among the pigeons to do or say something that causes arguments, trouble etc
4. play (a game of) cat and mouse (with somebody) to pretend to allow someone to do or have what they want, and then to stop them from doing or having it:
The police played an elaborate game of cat and mouse to trap him.
5. the cat’s whiskers/pyjamas informal something or someone that is better than everything else:
I really thought I looked the cat’s whiskers in that dress.
6. like a cat on hot bricks British English, like a cat on a hot tin roof American English so nervous or anxious that you cannot keep still or keep your attention on one thing
7. not stand/have a cat in hell’s chance (of doing something) informal to not have any chance of succeeding:
They don’t have a cat in hell’s chance of being elected.
8. when the cat’s away (the mice will play) used to say that people will not behave well when the person who has authority over them is not there
9. like the cat that got the cream British English, like the cat that ate the canary American English informal very proud or pleased because of something you have achieved or got
10. look like something the cat dragged/brought in British English informal to look very dirty or untidy
⇨ raining cats and dogs at rain2(1), ⇨ there’s not enough room to swing a cat at room1(5)
■ adjectives
▪a pet cat (=one that you care for in your home) Lucy had a horse and a pet cat of her own.
▪a domestic cat (=one that lives with people) People have kept domestic cats for thousands of years.
▪a tabby cat (=which has dark and light lines on brown or grey fur) They had a 12-year-old tabby cat.
▪a ginger cat (=which has orange-brown fur) I've always wanted a ginger cat.
▪a feral cat (=one that lives in groups with other cats but has no home) The small fishing village was full of feral cats.
▪a stray cat (=one that has lost its home) He found a stray cat and started feeding it.
▪a wild cat (=a type of cat that does not live with people) The African wild cat is bigger than ordinary domestic cats.
▪big cats (=lions, tigers etc) All 36 species of big cat are vulnerable or endangered.
■ verbs
▪a cat miaows/mews (=makes a small noise) The cat was miaowing outside the door.
▪a cat purrs (=makes a soft noise that shows pleasure) The cat purred as she stroked it.
▪a cat hisses (=makes a low noise that shows fear or anger) Cats sometimes hiss at dogs.
▪a cat scratches somebody If a cat gets angry, it may scratch you with its claws.
▪a cat leaps/springs Then the cat leapt up into the tree.
▪a cat pounces on something (=jumps on something and catches it) The cat was hiding, waiting to pounce on the bird.
▪have a cat We always had a cat when I was young.
▪feed a cat She comes in while we're away to feed the cat.
▪stroke a cat Our cat won't let you stroke it.
■ cat + NOUN
▪cat food He bought some cans of cat food.
▪cat litter (=small grains for a cat to use as a toilet inside the house) You should change cat litter daily.
▪a cat flap (=a special door for a cat to go in and out of a house) The cat was getting too fat to fit through the cat flap.
▪a cat owner It is estimated that around 64 million Americans are cat owners.
■ phrases
▪let/put the cat out (=let it or make it go outside) Can you let the cat out?
cat S1 W3 /kæt/
noun [countable] Language: Old English
Origin: catt, probably from Latin cattus, catta
1. Origin: catt, probably from Latin cattus, catta
a. a small animal with four legs that people often keep as a pet. ⇨ feline
tabby/ginger/tortoiseshell etc cat (=colours of cats)
b. (also big cat) a large animal such as a lion or tiger
2. let the cat out of the bag to tell someone a secret, especially without intending to
3. put/set the cat among the pigeons to do or say something that causes arguments, trouble etc
4. play (a game of) cat and mouse (with somebody) to pretend to allow someone to do or have what they want, and then to stop them from doing or having it:
5. the cat’s whiskers/pyjamas informal something or someone that is better than everything else:
6. like a cat on hot bricks British English, like a cat on a hot tin roof American English so nervous or anxious that you cannot keep still or keep your attention on one thing
7. not stand/have a cat in hell’s chance (of doing something) informal to not have any chance of succeeding:
8. when the cat’s away (the mice will play) used to say that people will not behave well when the person who has authority over them is not there
9. like the cat that got the cream British English, like the cat that ate the canary American English informal very proud or pleased because of something you have achieved or got
10. look like something the cat dragged/brought in British English informal to look very dirty or untidy
⇨ raining cats and dogs at rain2(1), ⇨ there’s not enough room to swing a cat at room1(5)
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CAT
CAT
in the past, the British Government guide to standards for the Individual Saving Accounts (ISA) introduced in 1999. It stands for reasonable Cost, easy Access, decent Terms. CAT was replaced by stakeholder ISAs in 2005.
CAT
in the past, the British Government guide to standards for the Individual Saving Accounts (ISA) introduced in 1999. It stands for reasonable Cost, easy Access, decent Terms. CAT was replaced by stakeholder ISAs in 2005.
