cat that swallowed the canary, (look) like the
cat that swallowed the canary, (look) like the
Look both smug and guilty. The analogy dates back to the mid-nineteenth century and was used by many writers, especially mystery writers (Dashiel Hammett among them), in the first half of the twentieth century.
See also: cat, like, swallow, that
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- cat got your tongue, has the
- turn over in one's grave, (enough to make one)
- bottle up feelings, to
- past history
- keep your eyes peeled/skinned
- way to a man's heart, the
- more power to you/him/them
- heart in the right place, to have one's
- bet one's bottom dollar, one can
- fighting mad