cat and mouse

noun

Definition of cat and mouse

: 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

So future tanks will become more difficult for enemies to detect, playing a cat and mouse game with their opponents by reducing their acoustic, radar, and infrared signatures. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Stealth Tanks Are Coming," 7 Aug. 2018 Created by Adam Brooks and Paul Adelstein, the drama starring Inbar Lavi followed a persona-shifting con artist and her three most recent victims, who pursue her in a game of cat and mouse. — Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Imposters' Canceled as Bravo Refines Its Scripted Approach," 1 June 2018 But Ream also has a history of mind games, toying with investigators in a game of cat and mouse. — Elisha Anderson, Detroit Free Press, "Suspected serial killer wants an apology from Warren police," 21 May 2018 The New York Police Department analyst and the leader of a fanatical Islamist cell played a dangerous game of cat and mouse for years. — Jessica Donati, WSJ, "NYPD Analyst Hunted al Qaeda Recruiter for Years. Now They’re a Team.," 27 Apr. 2018 While spring temperatures continue to play cat and mouse with much of the country, the weather is indeed warming, and with the warmer weather comes snow melt. — Susan B. Barnes, USA TODAY, "Spectacular waterfalls within the USA," 22 Apr. 2018 When this wild bunch descends upon the mansion, Taylor capably ratchets up the tension as Brea and John land in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the criminals. — Gary Goldstein, latimes.com, "Paula Patton stars in the surprisingly effective thriller 'Traffik'," 20 Apr. 2018 Eve and Villanelle begin a game of cat and mouse in which the two increasingly become obsessed with one another. — Time, "Sandra Oh on Stereotypes, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and Her First Lead Role on 'Killing Eve'," 9 Apr. 2018 Which is how a transient hurler would come to intrude upon this Manhattan lawyer’s life, telephoning tauntingly from the French Riviera in a yearslong game of cat and mouse. — Dan Greene, SI.com, "Flight of the Sole Man," 8 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cat and mouse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of cat and mouse was in 1675

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More Definitions for cat and mouse

cat and mouse

noun

English Language Learners Definition of cat and mouse

: behavior that is like the way a cat chases a mouse or plays with a mouse before killing it

See the full definition for cat and mouse in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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