No room to swing a cat.
[Idiom] NO ROOM TO SWING A CAT. - Exploring the Origins of Spatial Expressions
Very limited space.
No room to swing a cat may sound bizarre initially, but it paints a vivid picture of an extremely confined space. Historically, this idiom has naval roots, supposedly referring to the 'cat-o'-nine-tails,' a whip used to punish sailors, which required room for swinging. Today, it's used to describe any space that is so cramped and small that moving around comfortably is nearly impossible. It's a colorful way to emphasize limitations in physical space, evoking an immediate understanding of just how restricted an area is.
Example Sentences
The room was so small, there was no room to swing a cat.
The room was extremely small and cramped.
His first apartment had no room to swing a cat.
His first apartment was very tiny and confined.
They joked that their new office had no room to swing a cat.
They joked that their new office was extremely small and cramped.
