Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who is extremely agitated, nervous, or restless, often due to anxiety, tension, or discomfort. It implies a state of heightened nervousness or unease, similar to how a cat might react when placed on a hot surface.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “He’s been pacing back and forth like a cat on a hot tin roof ever since he heard the news.”
- “Waiting for the exam results had her feeling like a cat on a hot tin roof.”
- “The tension in the room had everyone on edge, pacing around like cats on hot tin roofs.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “like a cat on a hot tin roof” is attributed to Tennessee Williams’ play “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” first performed in 1955. In the play, the character Brick is described as feeling restless and agitated, much like a cat on a hot surface, due to the emotional turmoil and tension within his family. Over time, the phrase “like a cat on a hot tin roof” evolved into a common idiom used to describe nervousness or agitation in various situations.
