“A cat has nine lives” is the proverb that marvels at the cat’s knack for survival. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its idea.
What Does “A Cat Has Nine Lives” Mean?
The proverb refers to the cat’s remarkable ability to survive falls, accidents, and dangers that would kill most other animals — as if it had several lives to spare. Used of people, it describes someone who repeatedly comes through dangerous or difficult situations unharmed, escaping trouble again and again as though they too had more than one life. It is a tribute to resilience and to an almost uncanny luck in avoiding harm.
Origin of the Proverb
The belief is an old English proverb, sometimes expressed in the rhyme: “A cat has nine lives; for three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.” Shakespeare referred to it in Romeo and Juliet (1597), when Mercutio teases Tybalt as the “king of cats” and asks for one of his nine lives. The number nine has long carried a sense of mystery and completeness, and some trace the idea all the way back to the cat-revering culture of Ancient Egypt.
Examples in a Sentence
- “He survived three car crashes — that man has nine lives like a cat.”
- “The old tom fell from the roof and walked away; a cat has nine lives.”
- “Her business has nearly failed twice and bounced back — she has nine lives.”
Similar Proverbs
- A cat always lands on its feet — the cat’s other great survival saying.
- He who is born to be hanged shall never be drowned — some seem fated to escape certain dangers.
- To have the luck of the devil — extraordinary good fortune in avoiding harm.
- Down but not out — knocked back, yet surviving to carry on.
For more animal sayings, see our animal proverbs and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “a cat has nine lives” mean?
It refers to a cat’s remarkable ability to survive dangers — and, used of a person, describes someone who repeatedly escapes harm as though they had several lives.
Where does the proverb come from?
It is an old English proverb; Shakespeare referred to it in Romeo and Juliet (1597), and the idea may reach back to ancient Egypt, where cats were revered.
Why nine lives?
The number nine has long been linked with mystery and completeness; one old rhyme says a cat spends three lives playing, three straying, and three staying.