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English Idioms about "Animals"

Curiosity killed the cat

English Idiom

Meaning: Excessive inquisitiveness can lead to trouble or danger. Sometimes, asking too many questions or delving too deeply into something can have negative consequences.
Origin: The phrase 'Curiosity killed the cat' dates back to at least the 16th century, with its earliest known use in English literature by playwright Ben Jonson in 1598. Originally, the phrase was 'Care killed the cat,' with 'care' referring to worry or sorrow. Over time, 'care' was replaced with 'curiosity,' emphasizing the dangers of unnecessary investigation or experimentation.
A girl observes a playful cat at a vibrant fruit market filled with fresh produce and bustling shoppers
OpenAI's DALL-E generated image

Examples

  • Despite his friends' warnings, Jake's curiosity killed the cat as he ventured into the abandoned building alone.
  • Lisa's incessant questioning about her neighbor's private life often reminded everyone that curiosity killed the cat.
  • The scientist's relentless probing into the classified project led to unforeseen consequences, proving that curiosity killed the cat.
  • After opening the mysterious package, Emily realized too late that her curiosity killed the cat.
  • John's habit of snooping through his colleagues' emails got him in serious trouble, a classic case of curiosity killed the cat.
  • Even though the website had a warning, Mary's curiosity killed the cat when she clicked on the suspicious link.
  • Alex ignored the guidelines and explored the restricted area, only to learn the hard way that curiosity killed the cat.
  • Her relentless pursuit of gossip about her friends often backfired, a true example of curiosity killed the cat.
  • The detective's unauthorized investigation into the case ended his career, illustrating that curiosity killed the cat.
  • When Sarah hacked into her partner's phone, she found more than she bargained for, proving that curiosity killed the cat.