Cat Among the Pigeons – Meaning & Usage Examples

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Explore the intriguing idiom ‘cat among the pigeons’ as we decipher its meaning, uncover its origin, and examine real-life examples.

Meaning of the Idiom

The idiom ‘cat among the pigeons’ is a picturesque expression used to describe the act of introducing something startling, disruptive, or unsettling into a calm or orderly situation. The image invoked is one of a cat causing chaos and panic among a group of pigeons, symbolizing the introduction of unexpected elements that create confusion or uproar. Exploring ‘cat among the pigeons’ involves understanding the impact of unexpected events or revelations on a previously stable or harmonious environment.

Origin of the Idiom

The origin of “cat among the pigeons” can be traced back to the world of hunting. The phrase likely draws on the image of a cat disrupting a group of pigeons, causing them to scatter in panic. The first recorded use of the idiom in a figurative sense, indicating disruption or alarm, dates back to the early 20th century. Over time, ‘cat among the pigeons’ has become a widely used idiom to convey the idea of creating chaos or turmoil in a peaceful or stable situation.

10 Idiom Examples in Everyday Situations

1. The unexpected resignation of the CEO threw a cat among the pigeons, leaving the company in a state of uncertainty.

2. The revelation of the scandal in the peaceful community acted like a cat among the pigeons, shattering the trust among neighbors.

3. The introduction of a new policy without prior notice put a cat among the pigeons, leading to confusion and opposition.

4. The surprising announcement about the merger threw a cat among the pigeons in the stock market, causing a sudden drop in share prices.

5. During the diplomatic talks, the unexpected demand from one party acted as a cat among the pigeons, derailing the negotiations.

6. The release of the controversial documentary threw a cat among the pigeons in the film industry, sparking debates and discussions.

7. The sudden change in weather during the outdoor event put a cat among the pigeons, forcing organizers to adapt quickly.

8. The revelation of hidden financial problems threw a cat among the pigeons in the once-stable organization, leading to internal turmoil.

9. The unexpected guest speaker at the conference acted like a cat among the pigeons, surprising and energizing the audience.

10. The unanticipated twist in the plot of the novel threw a cat among the pigeons, leaving readers in suspense and disbelief.

10 Quotes Featuring the Idiom

1. “Revealing the truth can sometimes act like a cat among the pigeons, disturbing the tranquility of ignorance.” – Unknown

2. “In the world of politics, an unexpected scandal can throw a cat among the pigeons, reshaping the landscape of power.” – Unknown

3. “The innovative product launch threw a cat among the pigeons in the market, redefining industry standards.” – Unknown

4. “Unexpected challenges in a project can act as a cat among the pigeons, testing the adaptability of the team.” – Unknown

5. “A sudden change in leadership can throw a cat among the pigeons, requiring adjustments in the corporate culture.” – Unknown

6. “The surprising twist in the storyline threw a cat among the pigeons, leaving the audience in awe.” – Unknown

7. “Introducing a new policy without proper communication can act like a cat among the pigeons, creating confusion among employees.” – Unknown

8. “In relationships, unexpected revelations can throw a cat among the pigeons, challenging the foundation of trust.” – Unknown

9. “Life’s unexpected events can act as a cat among the pigeons, reshaping our paths and perspectives.” – Unknown

Idioms Starting From Letter C

Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter C. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘C’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the C-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter C.