softly, softly, catchee monkey

softly, softly, catchee monkey

A slow and careful way of resolving an issue, typically when dealing with a deceptive or otherwise challenging person or thing. Don't you worry, we'll lull that crook into a false sense of security and then trap him—softly, softly, catchee monkey.
See also: monkey
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • fast-talk (someone) into (something)
  • fast-talk into
  • in bad faith
  • bad faith
  • bait
  • bait and switch
  • call someone's bluff, to
  • through the back door
  • swindle
  • swindle out of
References in periodicals archive
'Sometimes it's softly, softly, catchee monkey, other times it's...' and here he draws a finger across his throat with relish.
MORNING SERIAL
But it'll have to be softly, softly, catchee monkey, which means convincing your partner her son has to face up to things.
Just Joan: It's softly, softly, to shift the sponger
"So any time I'm about to go for a major stampede, Chris is always there beside me saying 'For God's sake, calm down - softly, softly, catchee monkey!'
Tinman forge a metal streak to prove that rock's alive and kicking; Larne rockers Tinman have rewarded their loyal fans after four years with a debut album, Softly Softly Catchee Monkey, and join some heavy metal legends in Belfast this weekend
But the Tao belief is don't rush: remember the old Chinese saying: "Softly, softly, catchee monkey!"
KAMA SEXTRA; SEX EXPERT DR DAVID DELVIN UNVEILS THE EAST'S EROTIC SECRETS IN PART ONE OF OUR COMPELLING LOVE GUIDE