like the cat that ate/got/swallowed the canary
idiom
US
—used to say that someone looks very proud or satisfied about something he or she has done
After pointing out his teacher's mistake, he smiled like the cat that ate the canary.
Cite this Entry
“Like the cat that ate/got/swallowed the canary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/like%20the%20cat%20that%20ate%2Fgot%2Fswallowed%20the%20canary. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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