IdiomAnimals
English
Englishlook like the cat that swallowed the canary
Meaning: To have a knowing and self-satisfied smile on one's face; to be pleased with oneself, often because one has done something which one knows was wrong but which was very enjoyable.
Example: “When I walked in, my brother looked like the cat that swallowed the canary, and then I saw my empty cookie jar.”
Origin: Canaries are songbirds that people keep as pets in cages. A cat that had swallowed a canary would be pleased with itself but also know that it would be in trouble when the master of the house came home and discovered what had happened.
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