How do you use "Put the cat among the pigeons" in a sentence?

That announcement put the cat among the pigeons. Let's put the cat among the pigeons with this proposal. She really put the cat among the pigeons.

Put the cat among the pigeons

Q: What does "Put the cat among the pigeons" mean?

To cause trouble or controversy; to stir things up. 'Putting the cat among the pigeons' creates chaos deliberately—introducing a controversial element that upsets the status quo. The image of a predator among prey captures the resulting panic.

Slang Term BritishAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: To cause trouble or controversy; to stir things up.

制造麻烦或争议；搅乱局面。

Causar problemas o controversia; agitar las cosas.

問題や論争を起こすこと、波風を立てること。

문제나 논란을 일으키다, 판을 뒤흔들다.

'Putting the cat among the pigeons' creates chaos deliberately—introducing a controversial element that upsets the status quo. The image of a predator among prey captures the resulting panic.

'Putting the cat among the pigeons（把猫放进鸽群里）'是故意制造混乱——引入一个有争议的元素来打破现状。捕食者出现在猎物中间的画面恰好体现了由此产生的恐慌。

'Putting the cat among the pigeons' (meter al gato entre las palomas) crea caos deliberadamente — introduciendo un elemento polémico que altera el statu quo. La imagen de un depredador entre presas captura el pánico resultante.

「キャット・アマング・ザ・ピジョンズ（鳩の中に猫を放つ）」は意図的に混乱を起こすこと—現状を覆す物議を醸す要素を持ち込むことです。獲物の中に捕食者を入れるイメージが、その結果生じるパニックを表しています。

'Putting the cat among the pigeons'은 의도적으로 혼란을 일으키는 것, 즉 기존 질서를 뒤엎는 논란의 요소를 도입하는 것을 의미합니다. 먹잇감 사이에 포식자를 풀어놓는 이미지가 그로 인한 혼란을 잘 표현합니다.

Examples

That announcement put the cat among the pigeons.
那个公告引起了轩然大波。
Ese anuncio revolucionó todo.
あの発表は大騒動を引き起こした。
그 발표가 큰 소동을 일으켰다.
Let's put the cat among the pigeons with this proposal.
让我们用这个提案搅动一下局面。
Metamos al gato entre las palomas con esta propuesta.
この提案で波風を立てよう。
이 제안으로 한번 판을 뒤흔들어 보자.
She really put the cat among the pigeons.
她真的把局面搅乱了。
Ella realmente revolucionó las cosas.
彼女は本当に大騒ぎを引き起こした。
그녀는 정말로 큰 소동을 일으켰다.

Pronunciation

/pʊt ðə kæt əˈmʌŋ ðə ˈpɪdʒɪnz/

Usage Guide

Context: controversy, disruption, provocation

Tone: mischievous, sometimes approving

✓ Do Say

Put the cat among the pigeons
把猫放进鸽群——制造混乱
meter al gato entre las palomas
鳩の中に猫を放つ — 波風を立てる
판을 뒤집다
Cat among the pigeons
鸽群中的猫——引发骚动
gato entre palomas
波乱を起こす
파란을 일으키다

Common Mistakes

About deliberate disruption

Origin & History

British expression from the early 20th century. The chaos of a cat among roosting pigeons perfectly captures the disruption caused by a provocative statement or action.

Etymology: Image: predator causing panic among prey

First recorded: Early 20th century British

Cultural Context

Era: Early 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British expressions

Regional notes: British/Australian expression.

Variations

Put the cat among the pigeonsCat among the pigeons