when the cat's away the mice will play

when the cat's away, the mice will play

When someone in authority is not present, those subordinate to that authority do whatever they want. A: "If I leave my classroom for even a moment, I come back to find the place in chaos." B: "When the cat's away, the mice will play."

when the cat’s aˈway the mice will ˈplay

(saying) people enjoy themselves more and behave with greater freedom when the person in charge of them is not there

See also: away, mice, play, will

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THEY say that when the cat's away the mice will play.

HOT PEOPLE: Leave me al-Owen

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when you've seen, heard, etc. one, you've seen, heard, etc. them all
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when ship comes home
when ship comes home
when ship comes home
when ship comes in
When should we be back on board?
When should we be back on the bus?
When Skies Are Grey
when sneezes
when sneezes, catches a cold
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when someone sneezes, someone else catches a cold
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When the Cat's Away
when the cat's away (the mice will play)
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when the cat's away, the mice will play
when the cat's away, the mice will play
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when the cat's away, the mice will play.
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When the Dust Settles
When the Eagle Flies
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when the fat lady sings
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When The Freak
when the going gets rough
When the Going Gets Tough
when the going gets tough the tough get going
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
When the law gives anything
When the law presumes the affirmative
When the Legends Die
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