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.
But Play Store itself is not immune from attack, with the constant game of cat and mouse between Google and malware developers becoming ever more sophisticated on both sides. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 In the passenger cab, the front fascia is made up of a steel and gold topographic map of the Furka Pass, where Bond played cat and mouse with Goldfinger and his henchman Oddjob. David Szondy, New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2024 As Eiko, Misaki, the Terminator, and the children play cat and mouse throughout Tokyo, Malcolm and Kokoro continue their work. Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024 But catching threats this way is like a game of cat and mouse, except the chase is endless, as the speed at which new malicious domains emerge can be overwhelming. Ed Gibbs, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near cat and mouse

Cite this Entry

“Cat and mouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cat%20and%20mouse. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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