Home UK English see which way the cat jumps

Meaning of see which way the cat jumps in English:

see which way the cat jumps

phrase

informal

  • See what direction events are taking before committing oneself.

    • ‘Like real Dutchmen we wait to see which way the cat jumps before a company will stand up and profess to produce the discs for the European market.’
    • ‘But the others are undecided, waiting to see which way the cat jumps.’
    • ‘Then it will be interesting to see which way the cat jumps.’
    • ‘Though the new operating system seemed extremely fast and stable, most PC users decided to wait to see which way the cat jumps.’
    • ‘Henry's death has changed matters and now I must see which way the cat jumps, ere I decide whether I stay or return.’
    • ‘According to a familiar saying, they are waiting to see which way the cat jumps; and when they have ascertained that, their ‘principles’ will lead them to jump in that particular direction.’
    • ‘An eavesdropper might attempt to subvert the entire procedure by setting up a fake source that emits three particles rather than two, and intercepting the third stream of particles to see which way the cat jumps.’
    • ‘I don't spend a lifetime watching which way the cat jumps: I know really which way I want the cat to go.’