cat and mouse

noun

: behavior like that of a cat with a mouse: such as
a
: the act of toying with or tormenting something before destroying it
b
: a contrived action involving constant pursuit, near captures, and repeated escapes
played a game of cat and mouse with the police
broadly : an evasive action

Examples of cat and mouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After a game of cat and mouse that lasted two-and-a-half months, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally got their guy. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 Throughout the film, Rhodes follows the group to try and arrest them in a game of cat and mouse. Caroline Blair, People.com, 5 June 2025 But when a message arrives one day from prospective client Sarah (Lily James), a scientist from a biotech company armed with claims of an unlawful coverup regarding toxic chemicals, Ash becomes ensnared in a game of cat and mouse with a corporate intimidator played by Sam Worthington. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 5 June 2025 The series follows a disgraced FBI agent (Mackie) and an American career criminal (Dornan) who play a zero-sum game of cat and mouse across Europe. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cat and mouse

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cat and mouse was in 1675

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cat and mouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cat%20and%20mouse. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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