play cat and mouse

play cat and mouse

to try to defeat someone by tricking them into making a mistake so that you have an advantage over them. The 32-year-old actress spent a large proportion of the week playing cat and mouse with the press. (often + with)

See also: cat, mouse, play

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play (a game of) cat and mouse

1. to repeatedly try to make someone react in a way that will cause them problems. Enemy warplanes have been playing a deadly game of cat and mouse, trying to bring American fighter planes into range of their missiles.

2. to try to find someone who is hiding from you. Border agents played cat and mouse with people trying to enter the country illegally.

Etymology: based on the way a cat plays with a mouse before killing it

See also: cat, mouse, play