There are two cat-related expressions I use which my wife absolutely hates.
First, when we enter a cramped room (estrecho), I say:
“There’s not enough room to swing a cat in here.”
(No hay suficiente espacio para girar un gato aquí.)
She doesn’t like the mental image. Fair. But originally, “cat” referred to a whip (látigo), not an actual animal.
Second, when there’s more than way to do something, I say:
“There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”
(Hay más de una manera de despellejar un gato.)
She hates it. It’s gross, the idea of skinning a cat. On the other hand I love it because it’s so useful—perfect for saying there’s more than one way to get results.
But as a student once told me: “Poor cat!”
I would treat my cat well… if I had one
This week’s three tips:
SOMETHING TO AVOID 🫣
🤦🏻♀️ “I swinged the cat”
The verb to swing is irregular.
✅ “I swung the cat”
You might be thinking: Swing - swang - swung. But swang is not correct.
So the past is the same as the past participle: Swing - swung - swung.
To be honest, no one will care. Just don’t say swinged!
SOMETHING TO SOUND CONFIDENT 🧐
👔 Business expressions
“When the cat's away the mice will play”
The suggestion that when a person in authority is not present, the people under them will enjoy their freedom.
The boss is on holiday and nobody is doing any work. When the cat’s away the mice will play!
SOMETHING TO WATCH 👀
NEXT STEP ➡️
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Keep learning,
The Crystal Clear English Team
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