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Definition 2024


when_the_cat's_away_the_mice_will_play

when the cat's away the mice will play

English

Alternative forms

Proverb

when the cat’s away the mice will play

  1. In the absence of a controlling entity, subordinates will take advantage of circumstances.

Translations

References

  • Gregory Y. Titelman, Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings, 1996, ISBN 0-679-44554-4, p. 367.