there's more than one way to skin a cat en · X
Pronunciation
Etymology
Origin unknown. Other proverbs with the same meaning referencing the killing of animals are also attested, some as early as the 17th century; see, for example, “there are more ways to kill a dog than hanging” (1678), “there is more than one way to kill a cat” (1833), and “more ways of killing a cat than choking her with cream” (1855).
Meanings
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A problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal.
Nissan has elected to concentrate its European operations in Sunderland, including battery development, precisely because Boris Johnson has brought forward the phase-out date for petrol and diesel vehicles to 2030. […] However, there is more than one way to skin a cat, and cheaper options for ultra-low emitting vehicles are just around the corner.
2021 January 25, Robin Russell-Jones, “Electric cars are not the only green solution”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 22 Mar 2022:Relator was, undoubtedly, at this point reminded of the old saying: "There is more than one way to skin a cat"; because he was saying the same thing in different terminology and tied it in with his original statement by saying "as I stated".
1947 December 8, “Ex Parte Joe Fisher, Relator: Respondent’s Answer to Relator’s Motion for Rehearing”, in Joe J. Fisher, Petitioner, vs. R. C. Pace, Sheriff of Jasper County, Texas: Transcript of Record (Supreme Court of the United States, October Term, 1948; no. 45), Washington, D.C.: Judd & Detweiler, […], folio 90, page 65:This is a money digging world of ours; and, as it is said, "there are more ways than one to skin a cat," so are there more ways than one of digging for money. But, in some mode or other, this seems to be the universal occupation of the sons of Adam.
[1854, Seba Smith, “The Money-diggers and Old Nick”, in ’Way Down East; or, Portraitures of Yankee Life, New York, N.Y.: J[ames] C[ephas] Derby, […]; Boston, Mass.: Phillips, Sampson & Co. […], →OCLC, page 169:But then the Church came to the front, with an axe to grind; and she was wise, subtle, and knew more than one way to skin a cat—or a nation; […]
1889, Mark Twain [pseudonym; Samuel Langhorne Clemens], “The Boss”, in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, New York, N.Y.: Charles L. Webster & Company, →OCLC, page 100:At any rate, thought I, there's more than one way to skin a cat, as a butcher would say.
1835 November 11, the New York Transcript, quotee, “Eccentricities of a Mad Man”, in Benj[amin] Kingsbury, Jr., editor, Zion’s Herald, volume VI, number 45, Boston, Mass.: Boston Wesleyan Association, →OCLC, page 180, column 2:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| there are many ways to skin a cat | alternative | lexicographic |
Relateds
TMTOWTDI · if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail
Synonyms
there's more than one way to feed a cat · there's more than one way to fuck a cat · there's more than one way to cook an egg · there's more than one way to crack an egg · all roads lead to Rome · there's more than one way to peel an orange
Translations (24)
el το καλό το παλικάρι ξέρει κι άλλο μονοπάτι (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · ga is iomaí bealach le cat a mharú seachas é a thachtadh le him (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · es cada quien tiene su manera de matar pulgas (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · fi konstit on monet (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · de viele Wege führen nach Rom (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · it tutte le strade portano a Roma (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · ga is iomaí slí chun beithíoch a fheannadh (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · ar هناك أكثر من طريقَة لسلخ القط (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · fr tous les chemins mènent à Rome (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · pl wszystkie drogi prowadzą do Rzymu (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · fr il y a plusieurs façons de plumer un canard (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · pt quem não tem cão caça com gato (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · cs problém má zpravidla více řešení (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · fi konstit on monet sanoi mummo, kun kissalla pöytää pyyhki (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · cmn 不要在一棵樹上吊死 /不要在一棵树上吊死 (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · es cada maestrillo tiene su librillo (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · gd tha iomadh dòigh air cù a mharbhadh (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · cy mae llawer ffordd i ladd ci heblaw ei grogi (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · cmn 不要在一根籐上吊死 /不要在一根藤上吊死 (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · nl alle wegen leiden naar Rome (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · cy mae mwy nag un ffordd i gael Wil i'w wely (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · yo ọ̀nà kan ò wọjà (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · cs všechny cesty vedou do Říma (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal) · te శతకోటి దరిద్రాలకు అనంతకోటి ఉపాయాలు (a problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal)