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.
The story takes a turn when Manchester falls for a single mother, Leigh (Dunst), sparking a charming yet suspenseful game of cat and mouse. Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025 Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys play out a dangerous game of cat and mouse in Beast in Me, which dropped its trailer Thursday. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025 When one of his old enemies resurfaces and his daughter is abducted, the movie turns into a game of cat and mouse with car chases aplenty as well as the involvement of militias and mysterious organizations. Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 So there’s this kind of cat and mouse game that goes on. Olivia Petty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 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 21 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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