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)

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