play the cat and banjo with
Synonym of play the devil with.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The heavy rain played the cat and banjo with our garden plans.”
“The sudden computer virus played the cat and banjo with all the files I saved for my final presentation.”
“The unexpected economic downturn played the cat and banjo with the company's long-term strategy, forcing the board to abandon their expansion goals entirely.”
- 01
bell the cat
To undertake a dangerous action in the service of a group.
- 02
cat and dog life
An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.
- 03
cat got someone's tongue
Why is someone not saying anything?
- 04
cat in the meal-tub
Something concealed; a hidden danger.
- 05
cat piss
Any beverage of low quality.
- 06
cat that ate the canary
A person who appears self-satisfied or smug, especially while concealing something mischievous, prohibited, or private.
- 07
cat's cradle
Any complicated structure that appears to be without purpose.
- 08
cat's meow
A self-satisfied person.
Last updated August 10, 2026