[Idiom] WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY, THE MICE WILL PLAY. - When Supervision Is Gone: Exploring Behavioral Freedom
When the cat's away, the mice will play.
people misbehave when unsupervised
The idiom 'When the cat's away, the mice will play' is often used to describe situations where people misuse freedom or behave irresponsibly in the absence of supervision. This expression imagines a scenario where, if a cat (the enforcer or supervisor) leaves, the mice (people being supervised) take advantage of the situation by playing and ignoring rules, similar to employees slacking off when their boss is not around. It is a commentary on human nature and the tendency to relax discipline or break rules when there is no oversight. This idiom is especially relevant in discussions about workplace management, education, and parenting.
Example Sentences
As soon as the manager left, it was when the cat's away, the mice will play at the office.
Once the boss left, everyone at the office started to relax and have fun.
With their parents gone for the weekend, the kids were ready for some fun, when the cat's away, the mice will play.
With their parents away for the weekend, the children are looking to enjoy themselves.
The teacher stepped out, and immediately the students acted like when the cat's away, the mice will play.
The students began to misbehave as soon as the teacher left the room.