purr

purr like a cat

1. Of an engine, motor, or other piece of machinery, to run very smoothly and efficiently (often signified by a smooth, rich humming noise, not unlike that of a cat's purr). Once get this carburetor repaired, this old car is going to purr like a cat again. I just replaced the motherboard on my PC and installed a bunch of new RAM—now it's purring like a cat.
2. Of person, to sigh, hum, or moan with contentment or pleasure. The kids purred like cats as they ate their ice cream cones. I know a few tricks that will have your partner purring like a cat.
See also: cat, like, purr

purr like a kitten

1. Of an engine, motor, or other piece of machinery, to run very smoothly and efficiently (often signified by a smooth, rich humming noise, not unlike that of a cat's purr). Once get this carburetor repaired, this old car is going to purr like a kitten again. I just replaced the motherboard on my PC and installed a bunch of new RAM—now it's purring like a kitten.
2. Of person, to sigh, hum, or moan with contentment or pleasure. The kids purred like kittens as they ate their ice cream cones. I know a few tricks that will have your partner purring like a kitten.
See also: kitten, like, purr
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

purr like a cat

 and purr like a kitten 
1. Fig. [for an engine] to run well and smoothly. My car really purred after I got it tuned up. New sparkplugs and this old heap will really purr like a cat.
2. Fig. [for a person] to be very pleased, and perhaps moan or purr with pleasure. She was so pleased that she purred like a cat. Sarah really purrs like a kitten when she is happy.
See also: cat, like, purr
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

purr (like a cat)

in. [for an engine] to run well and smoothly. New spark plugs and this old heap will really purr like a cat.
See also: cat, like, purr

purr

verb
See purr like a cat
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • pur
  • purr like a cat
  • purr like a kitten
  • hit on all six
  • start up
  • repair to
  • repair to (some place)
  • repair to some place
  • groove
  • in the groove
References in periodicals archive
The felid purr: a bio-mechanical healing mechanism.
Cat's purr therapy?
Furthermore, having an audio record of a customer's assent to a particular transaction or procedure can protect both the company and the consumer during a dispute-resolution process, according to Purr.
Voice 'insures' greater efficiency
He purred every day of his life and when he lost that, I knew it was time.
LOOK: Photo of dying pet cat saddens netizens
Easily the most unique indication of contentment to ever be emitted by a feline, Lulu's purr will become your new favorite sound.
Oregon Life
Q: My cat Leo is two and to this day has never purred. His mum rejected him when he was born and he had to be hand fed.
An orphan cat that will not purr
Cats purr at the same speed as an idling diesel engine, roughly 26 cycles per second.
THE FELINE GROOVY GUIDE TO AMAZING CAT FACTS; PET'S CORNER; RIGHT AT HOME
So it may pay to back against both with an each-way option who could be very smart in the Willie Muir-trained PURR ALONG.
Going Along with Purr in Coronation; Outsider looks each-way choice for Dwyer
WILLIAM MUIR may have spent much of the last 12 months dreaming of a tilt at the Prix de l'Abbaye with Stepper Point, but the Lambourn trainer instead arrives in Paris with a chance of Group 1 glory courtesy of Purr A long.
Muirc ontented withP urr for tough milet est; Total Prix Marcel Boussac - Criterium des Pouliches 1.30 Longchamp 1m G1 Live ATR/RUK Card page 55
New York, August 15 ( ANI ): Cat's purr, which is probably one of the most comforting sounds in the world for those who like them, is still the one of zoology's biggest mysteries but there are a few things that have been revealed about it by experts.
Why cat's purr is still a mystery
But for Smokey, the pretty grey puss with the loudest ever purr, it's becoming something of a regular occurrence.
Super puss Smokey 's got the purr-fect pitch..
The government purchased 5514 Kanal land in the area of Goarach Purr, Mozah Adiala and Gun Purr and built boundary wall around the area .
Construction of sewerage treatment plant starts
To celebrate the first birthday of Katy Perry's best-selling fragrance Purr, the South Wales Echo has come up with the 'Purr'fect prize for one lucky reader, a chance to meet Katy backstage at her California Dreams 2011 concert plus a bottle of Purr.
MEET KATY PERRY
Jacob Armstrong and Sarah James, who attend Emmanuel College in Gateshead, have invented a "vibro-belt" that oscillates at the same frequency as a cat's purr to cure aches and pains.
Belt will have you feline purr-fect; Students' cat-inspired remedy for back pain
They've been using what scientists are calling "a soliciting purr", incorporating a cry of the same frequency as that of a human baby - a sound their owners find they cannot ignore.
Exactly who is the real pet in this relationship?
For the Black Cats this was a "purr" fect afternoon.
The Journal Jury