What does It Mean to ‘be Like a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’?

To be like a cat on a hot tin roof means —

• to be nervous;
• to be unsteady;
• to not be able to stay still because of anxiety or nervousness.

This simile has come from the literal observation of a cat on a hot tin roof. On a scorching hot day, metal objects like tin roofs become extremely hot to touch. A cat standing on such metal roofs cannot stand on all its four paws simultaneously. It will keep on shifting and lifting its paws to withstand the heat. It cannot stay steady.

Thus, if a person is so agitated or nervous that he cannot stand still, he is behaving like a cat on a hot tin roof.

For example —

“Ever since the news of layoffs leaked out, people have been behaving like a cat on a hot tin roof.”

People are very nervous ever since they heard that the company is laying off people or firing people.

I hope you found this story interesting. If you did, buy my full course on Udemy or watch it for free on Skillshare by signing up here. This course covers nearly 380 idioms with their origins and backstories.

Hi, I am Gauri Shanker, a Vocab teacher and enthusiast. I teach vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. You can check out my courses here.