Cat among the pigeons

Meaning

The idiom "cat among the pigeons" refers to someone who stirs up trouble or causes chaos in a group of people. It can also mean that someone is causing problems or disturbing the peace in a community or society. This expression is commonly used when someone does something unexpected, unexpectedly disruptive, or unintentionally upsetting to others.

Usage

• "The new employee's outspoken opinions caused quite a stir among the team, making her seem like a cat among the pigeons."
• "When the celebrity unexpectedly showed up at the small town festival, it was like a cat among the pigeons, causing everyone to panic and scramble for their phones."
• "The protesters' peaceful demonstration quickly turned into chaos as they became a cat among the pigeons, sparking violence and destruction in the city center."
• "When the politician's controversial comment caused an uproar among her supporters, it was like a cat among the pigeons, dividing her base and losing her popularity."
• "The new neighbor's loud parties were like a cat among the pigeons, disturbing the peace and causing complaints from the surrounding houses."

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "cat among the pigeons" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in medieval Europe. Pigeons were commonly seen as a symbol of corruption and filth, and being among them was seen as a metaphor for being surrounded by evil or immorality. In this context, the "cat" represents someone who is different from the crowd and stands out, causing disruption and stirring up trouble.

Synonyms in English

• "A wolf among sheep"
• "A snake in the grass"
• "A serpent in paradise"
• "A sore thumb"
• "An odd duck"

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "La vaca en el bosque" - This idiom refers to someone who stands out and causes trouble, much like the English expression.
• French: "Le chat dans la rue" - The literal translation is "the cat on the street," which carries a similar connotation to the English expression.
• German: "Die Katze in der Mühle" - This idiom refers to someone who is caught up in a difficult situation and cannot escape it, much like being trapped in a millstone.
• Italian: "Il gatto nella cascina" - This expression means "the cat in the stables," which emphasizes the idea of disrupting or upsetting a peaceful or orderly environment.
• Chinese: "猫狐之人" - This idiom refers to someone who is eccentric and behaves in an unusual way, much like the English expression but with a more positive connotation.

Similar Idioms

• beat a dead horse

• chew the fat

• come to blows