He wald gar a man trow that the moon is made of green cheis, or the cat took the heron. Never believe all that is laid to another.
Honest as the cat when the meat is out of reach. Some are honest, but others not by choice.
How can the cat help it when the maid is a fool? Often things lost, given, or stolen, are laid to the cat.
If thou 'scap'st, thou hast cat's luck, in Fletcher's Knight of Malta, alluding to the activity and caution of the cat, which generally stands it in good stead.
I'll not buy a cat in a poke. F., Chat en Poche. See what you buy; bargain not on another's word.
Just as quick as a cat up a walnut-tree.—D'Urfey. To climb well and easily. To be alert and sudden.
Let the cat wink, and let the mouse run. For want of watching and care much is lost.—Hazlitt's "Dodsley," i. 265. The first portion is in the interlude of "The World and the Child," 1522.
Like a cat he'll fall on his legs. To succeed, never to fail, always right.
Like a cat round hot milk. Wait and have; all things come to those who wait.
Little and little the cat eateth the stickle.—Heywood. Constant dropping weareth a stone.