When the cat's away, the mice will play

Meaning: People behave freely when authority is absent.

Origin: Medieval French and English proverb, 14th century.

Translations

• French: Quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris dansent (literally: When the cat isn't there, the mice dance)
• Spanish: Cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan (literally: When the cat's not there, the mice dance)
• Japanese: 鬼の居ぬ間に洗濯 (Oni no inu ma ni sentaku) (literally: Do laundry while the demon's away)

More proverbs about Human Nature

• A leopard never forgets — Certain offenses are never truly forgiven.
• Lightning never strikes twice — Rare events are unlikely to happen to the same person twice.
• To each their own — Everyone has their own preferences and choices.
• You can't teach an old dog new tricks — It's difficult to change established habits.
• Beauty and the beast — Opposites can coexist or attract.
• A watched clock never moves — Time seems slower when you're focused on it.

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