Like a cat on hot bricks In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "like a cat on hot bricks", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

Tommy Tran

2021-02-04 03:02

Meaning of Like a cat on hot bricks

Synonyms:

be like a cat on a hot tin roof

Like a cat on hot bricks British old-fashioned simile

To be so nervous or anxious that you can't sit still or keep calm

Relax! She will be here eventually. You've been like a cat on hot bricks for an hour.

I know Jen will be like a cat on hot bricks till she knows her grades.

Johnny is like a cat on hot bricks whenever he's about to make a decision.

Other phrases about:

Shaking Like a Leaf

To shake a lot due to the cold or fear

on the edge of your seat

be so excited or nervous about that something and want to know what is going to happen next

have ants in your pants

Too excited or nervous about something to be still or calm.

be looking over your shoulder

To feel that unpleasant or dangerous things likely happen to you

mess with (one's) head

To cause someone to feel confused, worried, or upset

Origin of Like a cat on hot bricks

Like a cat on hot bricks. (Image Source: Agefotostock)

The earlier form of this phrase was recorded in A Collection of English Proverbs (2^nd edition – 1678) by John Ray:

"To go like a cat upon a hot bake stone."

This earlier form of the phrase was used till the late 19^th century.

The earliest use of the phrase is found in the Cambridge Chronicle and Journal of 26^th March 1842:

"The horse which is the subject of this action […] was so lame that he went dotting along on three legs, like a cat on hot bricks — (loud laughter.)"

The American-English version of this phrase is "like a cat on a hot tin roof" and was popularized as the title of Tennessee Williams's play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.