Like A Scalded Cat

Pronunciation: /laɪk ə skɔːldɪd kæt/

Definitions of like a scalded cat

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

Example Sentences

A1 She ran away from the dog like a scalded cat.

A2 The child sprinted out of the room like a scalded cat when the fire alarm went off.

B1 The car sped down the street like a scalded cat, trying to escape the police.

B2 The athlete dashed across the finish line like a scalded cat, breaking the world record.

C1 The stock market reacted to the news like a scalded cat, with prices plummeting rapidly.

C2 The journalist chased after the breaking story like a scalded cat, determined to get the scoop.

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, indicating manner, time, place, or degree

Example Sentences

A1 The cat ran away like a scalded cat when it heard a loud noise.

A2 She jumped out of bed like a scalded cat when the alarm clock went off.

B1 The car sped off like a scalded cat when the police arrived.

B2 The athlete sprinted down the track like a scalded cat, determined to win the race.

C1 The stock market reacted like a scalded cat to the news of a potential economic crisis.

C2 The politician dodged questions from reporters like a scalded cat, trying to avoid any controversy.

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

Example Sentences

A1 The cat ran away like a scalded cat.

A2 She jumped up from her seat like a scalded cat.

B1 The child sprinted out of the room like a scalded cat.

B2 The car sped down the highway like a scalded cat.

C1 The athlete dashed across the finish line like a scalded cat.

C2 The news spread through the town like a scalded cat.

Examples of like a scalded cat in a Sentence

formal The startled deer ran away like a scalded cat when it heard a noise.

informal I sprinted out of there like a scalded cat when I saw the spider.

slang She bolted out of the room like a scalded cat when she heard her ex's name.

figurative The gossip spread through the office like a scalded cat, reaching everyone in minutes.

Grammatical Forms of like a scalded cat

• past tense: ran like a scalded cat
• plural: run like scalded cats
• comparative: faster than a scalded cat
• superlative: fastest like a scalded cat
• present tense: runs like a scalded cat
• future tense: will run like a scalded cat
• perfect tense: has run like a scalded cat
• continuous tense: is running like a scalded cat
• singular: runs like a scalded cat
• positive degree: as fast as a scalded cat
• infinitive: to run like a scalded cat
• gerund: running like a scalded cat
• participle: having run like a scalded cat

Origin and Evolution of like a scalded cat

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The phrase 'like a scalded cat' likely originated from the behavior of a cat that has been scalded or burned, which would cause it to move quickly and frantically in pain.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the phrase 'like a scalded cat' has evolved to describe someone or something moving very quickly or with great urgency, often in a panicked or startled manner.