Popular Spanish expressions with cats

By Marta Díaz on Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Cats are enigmatic, agile animals full of personality that have not only conquered many Spanish homes. In fact, they are also present in the Spanish language and that is why there are numerous expressions, sayings and idioms in Spanish with these animals as the protagonists.

This feline, a symbol of cunning, stealth, independence and, at times, mystery or deceit, has crept into popular expressions in Spanish that reflect the way in which culture has interpreted and observed cats over time. From proverbs with morals to everyday sayings, these phrases use the cat as a metaphor to talk about life, human relationships, danger, distrust and even perseverance.

Below, we explore some of the best-known Spanish expressions that revolve around cats, as well as their meaning and origin. Discover them with feline curiosity!

Tener siete vidas como los gatos

The best-known feline expression in Spanish: “tener siete vidas como los gatos”. Although depending on where you say it, cats will have seven, nine or six lives. In English the expression and translation of this expression is: “Having nine lives like a cat”.

This phrase is used to describe someone who seems to have overcome very difficult or dangerous situations, as if they had more than one life.

Its origin comes from an old popular belief about the agility and survival capacity of cats, that they “always land on their feet”. In some cultures, they talk about nine lives, but in the Hispanic world the number seven became popular due to its symbolic and mystical meaning, while in Arab culture cats have six lives.

Dar gato por liebre

When you are given a pig in a poke, or gato por liebre, it means that you are being deceived and offered something of less value by passing it off as something better. This expression is also very well known in Spain, so if you decide to do a Spanish intensive course with us, you are sure to hear it.

The English translation is: “To pull a fast one on someone” or “to sell a pig in a poke”.

The origin of “Dar gato por liebre” comes from ancient bad faith practices in meat sales. Cat was often sold as if it were hare, taking advantage of the fact that both meats were similar once cooked.

Cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan

When authority is absent, subordinates do as they please. This is the meaning of the Spanish expression “Cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan”. The translation of this phrase is: “When the cat's away, the mice will play”. Also, there is the saying: “gato con guantes no caza ratones” (a cat in gloves won't catch mice).

It is a clear metaphor for the free behavior of mice when their predator (the cat) is not present. It appears in different cultures with similar variants in other languages and in several Spanish-speaking countries.

Ponerle el cascabel al gato

“Ponerle el cascabel al gato” means to take on a difficult, risky or dangerous task that nobody wants to do. The English version is: “To bell the cat” or “To bite the bullet”.

The origin of this Spanish expression comes from a fable by Aesop in which the mice want to put a bell on the cat to warn of its arrival, but none of them dares to do so.

¿Te ha comido la lengua el gato?

“¿Te ha comido la lengua el gato?” (Has the cat got your tongue?) It is an expression used to ask why someone is silent or does not answer a question.

Although its origin is uncertain, it is probably an ironic or humorous way of pointing out someone's unexpected silence. It refers to whether a cat has taken away a person's ability to speak.

Llevarse como el perro y el gato

Although not all cats and dogs get along, this Spanish expression means to have a conflictive relationship or to be constantly fighting. In English: “Getting along like cats and dogs”.

“Llevarse como el perro y el gato” has its origins in the popular observation that cats and dogs often have a difficult relationship or clash. However, there are cats and dogs that get along well, although the public does not believe this.

Aquí hay gato encerrado

Another very famous expression involving cats is: “Aquí hay gato encerrado”. It means that there is something hidden or suspicious; something that is perceived as a trap or a deception. The English version is: There’s something fishy going on or Something smells fishy.

This Spanish expression possibly derives from 17th century Spain, a time when gato (cat) was a common word for a bag or purse. If there was a “gato encerrado”, it meant that there was something stored or hidden, usually a small bag of money among the clothes. Although it could also refer to something hidden with malicious intent, manipulation or deceit.

Thus, this Spanish expression has passed into the present day with the meaning of there being something hidden that does not have good intentions and leaving aside the full meaning of cat as an animal. There is another similar one that says: De noche todos los gatos son pardos (at night all cats are gray).

Gato escaldado del agua fría huye

Although less common, this expression refers to someone who has had a bad experience and who then fears even things that are not dangerous. The English translation is: “Once bitten, twice shy”.

Like the saying “El que se quema con leche, ve una vaca y llora”. This Spanish expression with cat refers to a cat that has been burnt by hot water and will then avoid even cold water out of fear.

Haber cuatro gatos

A widely used expression in Spanish is “haber cuatro gatos”. It means that there are very few people in a place or at a meeting. In English: “Hardly a soul there” or “There were only a handful of people”.

It refers to the solitary nature of cats and is used ironically to point out that more people were expected. It does not literally refer to cats, but to the low attendance.

Defenderse como gato panza arriba

“Defenderse como gato panza arriba” means defending oneself fiercely in a desperate situation or when one feels cornered. The English version is: “To go down swinging” or “To fight tooth and nail”.

When cats feel threatened, they tend to fight even from a prone position on the floor, using their claws and teeth. It is a symbol of intense struggle even when at a disadvantage.

Buscarle tres pies al gato

Even if you think this phrase makes no sense because cats have four legs and not three, it is widely used in everyday language. It means complicating things that are uncomplicated or insisting on seeing problems where there are none. The English translation is: “to split hairs”.

Llevarse el gato al agua

When you emerge victoriously from a difficult situation, especially in front of other people, you can use the expression: “Llevarse el gato al agua”. The English translation is “to win the day” or “to come out on top”.

It comes from ancient competitions or fights, where to take a cat to water —an animal that hates getting wet— implied a difficult or forced victory. It is also associated with political rivalries or intense debates.

These are the most famous expressions involving cats, but you are sure to hear many more during your stay while learning Spanish in Spain. Enforex will guide you with qualified teachers throughout your journey and you will be able to learn these and many other colloquial expressions in Spanish that are used naturally in the language.