cat and mouse
Predator stalks prey
Cat and mouse describes a dynamic where one party pursues or toys with another who tries to evade—like a cat playing with prey before killing it.
The phrase usually implies the pursuer has the advantage and may be enjoying the chase: The detective played cat and mouse with the suspect for weeks.
A cat-and-mouse game is this dynamic viewed as strategic maneuvering.
Conceal or pelt
- escapeFlight from captivity
- eludeSkillfully avoid capture
- fleeDepart swiftly from threat
- sneakMove with stealth
dodge · avoidance · concealment · scurry · burrow · hole · corner · shadow
Act of chasing something
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- preyAnimal being hunted
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
- huntPursuit of quarry
pounce · ambush · capture · tracking · escape · scurry · feline · rodent
Struggle for supremacy
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
- bluffingDeceiving about one's position
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
maneuvering · outsmarting · anticipation · baiting · countermove · gambit · ploy · feint
Handling carelessly or idly
- battingSwinging at pitches
- pawingClumsy, grabby touching
- frolicLighthearted playful movement
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
pouncing · teasing · lighthearted · frisky · romping · swatting · tumbling · chasing
State of awaiting something
- tensionStretched or strained state
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- nail-bitingExtremely tense or anxious
edge-of-seat · dread · apprehension · waiting · watchful · alert · trepidation · unease
hide
Conceal or pelt
sneak · dodge · avoidance · concealment · scurry · burrow · hole · corner · shadow · retreat
pursuit
Act of chasing something
hunt · pounce · ambush · capture · tracking · escape · scurry · feline · rodent · claws
competition
Struggle for supremacy
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
- bluffingDeceiving about one's position
deception · maneuvering · outsmarting · anticipation · baiting · countermove · gambit · ploy · feint · outwitting
toying
Handling carelessly or idly
antics · pouncing · teasing · lighthearted · frisky · romping · swatting · tumbling · chasing · prancing
anticipation
State of awaiting something
- tensionStretched or strained state
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
nail-biting · edge-of-seat · dread · apprehension · waiting · watchful · alert · trepidation · unease · nervousness
- Predators and Prey
- playground gamestag, hide and seek, hopscotch, freeze, capture the flag
- cyclingbikes, bicycles, cycling, cyclist, cyclists
- mystery fictionwhodunit, whodunnit, sleuth, murder mystery, detective novel
- chase gamestag, freeze tag, hide and seek, capture the flag, cops and robbers
- circle gamesduck duck goose, pass the parcel, spin the bottle, hokey pokey, pass the ball
cat and mousehead-to-head
In direct confrontation
head-on collision · showdown · face-off · frontal assault · mano a mano
cat and mousepartnership
Shared business arrangement
collaboration · alliance · teamwork · cooperation · mutual aid
cat and mousedecisive action
Firm choice, promptly executed
cutting to the chase · getting down to brass tacks · clean break · sudden death · knockout blow
mouse, cats, mousy, catlike, mousetrap, catnip, tomcat, cat's, catwalk