herd cats

idiom

The phrase "herd cats" is a vivid metaphor used to describe efforts to control or manage chaotic or independent elements, drawing on the image of trying to direct a group of uncooperative cats.

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Definition

C1General

(idiomatic)To try to manage or organize a group of people who are difficult to control or coordinate.

Example

Managing a team of creative professionals can sometimes feel like trying to herd cats.

C1General

(idiomatic)To attempt a task that is extremely challenging or nearly impossible due to the independence or unpredictability of the elements involved.

Example

Trying to get all the stakeholders to agree on the project plan was like herding cats.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "herd cats":

cat around big cat whip the cat hunting cat thin the herd cats and dogs great cat cat meat house cat walk back the cat cat's meow cat squirrel have kittens cool cat