when the cat’s away, the mice will play
idiomPart ofcat
when the cat’s away, the mice will play — idiom
1. People misbehave or enjoy themselves when the authority figure is absent.
1.idiom
Definition
People misbehave or enjoy themselves when the authority figure is absent.
Example
When the boss left, the staff relaxed; when the cat's away, the mice will play.
The kids threw a party because when the cat's away, the mice will play.