cat that swallowed the canary
Visibly guilty yet pleased
A person who looks smug or self-satisfied, usually because they've gotten away with something or possess secret knowledge others don't.
The expression captures the image of a cat with telltale feathers around its mouth, unable to hide its guilt despite trying to look innocent: She had the look of the cat that swallowed the canary after the promotion was announced.
- grinningShowing a broad smile
- smugnessExcessive pride in oneself
- gloatingSmug triumph display
- self-satisfactionPleasure from one's achievements
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
knowing smile · got away with it · secret keeper · hidden agenda · craftiness · scheming · sneakiness · guile · slyness · mischief · complacency · triumph · sitting pretty · pride · sly as a fox · trickery · cunning · happy as a clam
cat that swallowed the canarydeer in the headlights
Fear-induced paralysis
poker face · blank stare · confused look · stone-faced · expressionless
cat that swallowed the canarynone the wiser
Still not knowing
in the dark · innocent as a lamb · clueless · oblivious · out of the loop
cat that swallowed the canarycrestfallen
Sad from disappointment
dejected · long face · down in the mouth · down in the dumps · shamefaced
catlike, swallow, swallows, swallowed, swallowing, swallower, canary, canaries