nine lives
Feline survival myth
The expression comes from the folk belief that cats have nine lives—that they can survive falls and accidents that would kill other animals.
Applied to people, it describes someone who repeatedly escapes danger or disaster: That politician has nine lives; every scandal just rolls off him.
To say someone has used up their nine lives suggests their luck is running out.
Baseless belief in omens
- old wives taleUnverified traditional belief
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- proverbTraditional saying expressing truth
saying · adage · belief · tradition · lore · tall tale · Bastet · lucky charm
Remaining alive against odds
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
fortitude · stamina · toughness · adaptability · bounceback · hardiness · indestructibility · resourcefulness
Of or like cats
- whiskersFacial sensory hairs
- purrFeline contentment sound
- kittenJuvenile domestic feline
- meowFeline vocalization
fur · claws · tail · pounce · tabby · siamese · alley cat · mouser
Biological self-repair process
- revivalReturn after decline
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
- renewalMaking current again
- restorationReturning something to condition
reawakening · reinvention · transformation · metamorphosis · resurgence · phoenix · resurrection · fresh start
superstition
Baseless belief in omens
- old wives taleUnverified traditional belief
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
- legendUnverified traditional tale
proverb · saying · adage · belief · tradition · lore · tall tale · Bastet · lucky charm · omen
survival
Remaining alive against odds
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
grit · fortitude · stamina · toughness · adaptability · bounceback · hardiness · indestructibility · resourcefulness · close call
feline
Of or like cats
meow · fur · claws · tail · pounce · tabby · siamese · alley cat · mouser · tomcat
regeneration
Biological self-repair process
- revivalReturn after decline
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
- renewalMaking current again
restoration · reawakening · reinvention · transformation · metamorphosis · resurgence · phoenix · resurrection · fresh start · new lease
- Number Phrasesone and only, two cents, three strikes, four corners, five senses
- Cat Lorecat goddess, familiar, witch's cat, familiars, black cat
- Number Symbolismnumerology, sacred numbers, lucky seven, unlucky thirteen, magic numbers
- cat traitssilky coat, coat, tabby pattern, claws, long-haired
- ninesnonagon, novena, Ennead, enneagram, cloud 9
- catscat, kitten, kitty, feline, tabby
nine livesfragility
Ease of breaking
vulnerability · doomed · one and done · mortality · death wish
live, alive, living, ninth, nine, lives, ninety, lived, liveliness