herd cats en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Formed of herd + cat, perhaps in reference to domesticated cats’ solitary nature. Possibly from the opening scene of Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979). Shepherds are discussing sheep and the topic strays to cats: "Can you imagine a herds of cats waiting to be sheared? Meow! Meow! Woo hoo hoo." Earliest usage unknown, but the idiom is attested from the 1980s.
Meanings
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(idiomatic, in similes) To attempt to control the uncontrollable; to attempt to manage a great many unruly factors or people to a single end.
Trying to predict the future of office automation is like trying to herd cats. Things go in so many directions, you end up with a fist full of air.
1987, Lance Brilliantine, “Dual color copying”, in Office Administration and Automation, page 20:The job of leader has often been compared to herding cats. It is not easy, but Senator DASCHLE did an outstanding job.
2004, Kent Conrad, “Tributes to Thomas A. Daschle”, in Proceedings in the Senate (US Senate):Managing volunteers from fourteen different organizations is like herding cats.
It must feel like herding cats, with 20-or-so members and with the big five franchise owning groups.
2021 January 13, Paul Clifton, “Delivering a basis for rail changes”, in RAIL. issue 922, page 32:Finally, you present this vision and your goals to the authors; after that it’s like herding cats. Authors have their own perspectives on their topics, their own notions about what constitutes significant issues and adequate coverage
1983, Paul Henry Mussen, Handbook of Child Psychology, volume 4, page viii:
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Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see herd, cat.
It would be hard teaching a shepherd dog to herd cats, or even to herd sheep, before he leaves off his puppy ways and shows himself ready to become a good shepherd.
1924, Daniel Wolford La Rue, The Child’s Mind and the Common Branches, →OCLC, page 36:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| herds cats | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| herding cats | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| herded cats | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| herded cats | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Relateds
ride herd on · hold the reins · ride the tiger
Translations (4)
de (einen Sack voll) Flöhe hüten (to attempt to control the uncontrollable) · pl zawrócić kijem Wisłę (to attempt to control the uncontrollable) · pl zawracać kijem Wisłę (to attempt to control the uncontrollable) · cy bugeilio'r brain (to attempt to control the uncontrollable)