Copycat

Meaning

"Copycat" is an idiom that refers to someone who imitates the behavior or actions of another person, often without any originality or creativity. The phrase can also be used to describe a strategy where a business or organization replicates its competitors' products, services, or marketing tactics in order to gain market share.

Usage

• "I knew he was just a copycat, always trying to mimic my boss's style and ideas."
• "The new restaurant on the block is just another copycat of the popular chain down the street."
• "Instead of coming up with their own innovative solutions, the company relied on being a copycat and replicating what their competitors were doing."
• "I'm not a fan of copycats; I prefer to blaze my own trail and be original."
• "The fashion industry is known for its constant cycle of copying and pasting trends from season to season."

Roots and History

The idiom "copycat" has been used in English since the early 19th century, with its first known use appearing in a collection of proverbs published in 1827. Over time, the phrase has evolved to include not only imitation but also a lack of originality or creativity. Today, the idiom is widely used in both informal and formal contexts to describe people or strategies that lack innovation or uniqueness.

Synonyms in English

• "Imitator"
• "Follower"
• "Mimic"
• "Imitation"
• "Ape"

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Copieur" (copyer)
• Spanish: "Imitador" (imitator)
• German: " Nachahmer" (imitator)
• Italian: "Imitatore" (imitator)
• Japanese: "コピーカット" (kopyokatto)

Similar Idioms

• change of heart

• play cat and mouse

• bull in a china shop