Phrase guide

herd cats

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To attempt to control the uncontrollable; to attempt to manage a great many unruly factors or people to a single end.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Managing volunteers from fourteen different organizations is like herding cats.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see herd, cat.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Formed of herd + cat, perhaps in reference to domesticated cats’ solitary nature. Possibly from the opening scene of Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979). Shepherds are discussing sheep and the topic strays to cats: "Can you imagine a herds of cats waiting to be sheared? Meow! Meow! Woo hoo hoo." Earliest usage unknown, but the idiom is attested from the 1980s.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: (einen Sack voll) Flöhe hüten — to attempt to control the uncontrollable
  • Polish: zawracać kijem Wisłę — to attempt to control the uncontrollable
  • Polish: zawrócić kijem Wisłę — to attempt to control the uncontrollable
  • Welsh: bugeilio'r brain — to attempt to control the uncontrollable