LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT SWALLOWED THE CANARY

It’s been a long time since I last published something here, but I have been way too busy to find some time to share something on Portal da Língua Inglesa.

Now, I think it is time to try to start writing regularly again. I cannot promise that I will do it very often, but I will try to write at least an entry a week.

Have you guys ever heard of the expression look like the cat that swallowed the canary?

Examples:

01.When the teacher came into the classroom, the students sat there looking like cats that swallowed the canaries. The teacher knew the students must be planning something mischievous.

02. After her promotion, Janet spent the rest of the day looking like the cat that swallowed the canary.

03. When questioned on the use of campaign funds for his own personal pleasure, the senator looked like the cat that swallowed the canary.

04. After the meeting John looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. I knew he must have been a success.

05. Your presentation must have gone well. You look like the cat that swallowed the canary.

Meanings:

·            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;

·    To appear smug and/or overly pleased with oneself to others, especially over something one has done, received, or accomplished;

·         To have the appearance of guilt but attempt to hide behind an air of smugness or feigned nonchalance;

·         to appear as if one had just had a great success.

I hope wherever you are in the world, you are safe and well. I'm sure that after the darkness, light will return.

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@bruno.coriolano (https://www.instagram.com/bruno.coriolano/)

Some references

IN THE LOOP: A Reference Guide to American English Idioms

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Like the cat that ate/got/swallowed the canary. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/like%20the%20cat%20that%20ate%2Fgot%2Fswallowed%20the%20canary

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