A wealthy supporter of a political campaign. "Fat cat" is an idiom for a wealthy person Lexico: informal, derogatory. Sailors were said to pass the time on ship chewing salted, dried fat, a snack that would have taken considerable … See more words with the same meaning: wealthy, rich . [3], The word was first used in the 1920s in the United States to describe rich political donors.[4][5]. Cat idioms – introduction. I'm tired of taking orders from fat cats . When the same message is conveyed in a more polite way we say that there is a “slim chance”. [1], The New York Times has described fat cats as symbols of "a deeply corrupt campaign finance system riddled with loopholes", with Americans seeing them as recipients of the "perks of power", but able to "buy access, influence policy and even veto appointments. The term's coinage for political purposes has been attributed to Frank Kent, a writer for the Baltimore Sun[6] whose essay "Fat Cats and Free Rides" appeared in the American Mercury, a magazine of commentary run by H. L. A wealthy supporter of a political campaign. See more ideas about idioms, english idioms, learn english. fat cat. 2. fat cat définition, signification, ce qu'est fat cat: 1. someone who has a lot of money, especially someone in charge of a company who has the power to…. The voters were tired of all the fat cats running for political office. Their first meeting was in the Wisconsin primary, where Kennedy's well-organized and well-funded campaign defeated Humphrey's energetic but poorly funded effort. Nov 10, 2016 - Explore Eva Juan's board "ESL Idioms" on Pinterest. "[2], It is also commonly used to describe a rich, greedy person who, due to ownership of large amounts of capital, is able to "live easy" off the work of others. Since I am on vacation I take a catnap every day. A wealthy and powerful person, especially a business person or politician. As we shall see, the idiom meaning refers to a situation or emotion, expressed using cat metaphors. капиталист, финансирующий политическую/избирательную кампанию; воротила; денежный мешок. Meaning: We Brits are known for our obsession with the weather, so we couldn’t omit a rain-related idiom from this list. 10. James Brown's 1973 song "Down and Out in New York City" includes the lyrics "All the fat cats, in the bad hats". Regional officer Graeme Turnbull said: "It's disgusting that public money is being creamed off by fatcats at the top in vast sums while the guys at the bottom are left struggling." [7] Kent wrote: A Fat Cat is a man of large means and slight political experience who, having reached middle age, and success in business, and finding no further thrill, sense or satisfaction in the mere piling up of more millions, develops a yearning for some sort of public honor, and is willing to pay for it. "[13] In the 2008 Democratic race, a group of wealthy backers of Sen. Hillary Clinton wrote to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, warning her they might withdraw financial support for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee if Pelosi did not change her position on whether the party's superdelegates "should support the party's pledged delegate leader". When the idiom is taken at face value it means that there is a large chance of something happening. Cat idioms are quite common in English and, as is often the case with idioms, they usually have nothing to do with actual cats. Corporate fat cats have to go! The little boy was grinning like a Cheshire cat when he entered the room. English idioms beginning with 'C', page 3, from 'carry the can to 'fat cat', with their meaning and an example. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Have you ever wondered if other cultures have as many cat idioms as we do? a fat cat: A rich person who is powerful, especially in politics or business. Richard is such a fat cat … Please be aware of the pitfalls of using idioms incorrectly. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. These fat cats of commerce make huge profits out of the public. Over 100,000 Spanish translations of English words and phrases. Define fat cat. n. Slang 1. Look like something the cat dragged in a rich but usually lazy person 1. grin like a Cheshire cat - to grin or smile broadly. [11] In the words of Ben J. Wattenberg, "The fat cats were driven from the temple...."[12], During a 1997 $1,000-per-plate dinner at the Hilton Washington for the Republican Party, which The New York Times dubbed "a lucrative display of the resilience of big-money campaign fund-raising", street protesters calling for further reform dressed in "fat cat" costumes and chanted "Hey, hey, ho, ho! I can't even pay my normal bills! These phrases have established meanings that we all understand, even if the words themselves do not directly correlate to the meaning. Thus, an article in the, In 11 years the bar company that started in Bangor has become one of the hottest new operators in the hospitality business, and Simon Patterson, who still runs the, I'm sure that in the end the truth will come out and, The three unions involved - the National Union of Journalists, the engineering and electricians union AEEU and the technicians union BECTU are calling seven ", DRUGS giant GlaxoSmithKline was facing the prospect of an shareholder revolt today over ", THE chief executive of oil giant BP was today accused of being the "biggest, Most directors received average pay rises of just four per cent last year, dispelling stories of '. A person who is rich and influential. Derogatory. let the cat out of the bag Idioms about “Cat” and expressions. In the British printed media, a fat cat is usually depicted as a cat-faced, corpulent, middle-aged man clad in a pin striped suit and holding or smoking a thick cigar, representing a venal banker or a high earner executive or "captain of industry". This means that the phrase has the opposite meaning to what it seems. See more ideas about idioms, english idioms, idioms and phrases. Muse's 2009 song "Uprising" also references the term in its lyrics: "Rise up and take the power back; it's time the fat cats have a heart attack". Meaning: A negative description of a rich and powerful person; 8. Yet again privatisation benefits City fat cats at the expense of the customer. It’s “raining cats and dogs” when it’s raining particularly heavily. See more words with the same meaning: miscellaneous insults (list of) . Mencken. That's a fat-cat kind of house—something we middle-class people can only dream about. He promised to end fat-cat salaries for union bosses and increase worker wages. Fat cat is a political term originally describing a rich political donor, also called an angel or big money man. List of idioms with the word “Cat” and the meanings. The phrase chew the fat did not come into use until the latter-1800s; at that time, chew the fat meant to grouse or complain. The meaning of this idiom is (slang) Any affluent person who is perceived to have profited from the labour of others.. Fat means big or large. In this video two savvy felines, Cool Cat and Fat Cat, share some of their favorite cat idioms from humans. They wanted someone who understood the plight of the middle class. https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/fat+cat. a political term, originally describing a rich political donor, now describes a rich, greedy person or an executive with excessive pay. The taxpayer will be left to pay while the fat cat businessmen get the cream of Britain's rail services. a political term, originally describing a rich political donor, now describes a rich, greedy person or an executive with excessive pay. That guy is a really fat-cat in Hollywood, so we definitely have to impress him if we want to get our movie made. 2. Once you’ve learnt enough French for basic communication, idioms are the next step to elevating your French to upper-intermediate and eventual fluency. Not have a cat in hell’s chance. The company director is described as a fat cat, who enjoys his luxury lifestyle but doesn’t care about his employees. I'm no fat cat. also written as cat nap. En savoir plus. fat cat definition: 1. someone who has a lot of money, especially someone in charge of a company who has the power to…. Meanings of "fat cat". Fat cat. It is now commonly used in editorial cartoons. [16][17][18] fat cat meaning, Definition in idioms dictionary. This term originally meant “a rich contributor to a political campaign,” and while this usage … Video shows what fat cat means. Oct 31, 2016 - Explore Ron English's board "ESL Idioms", followed by 163 people on Pinterest. The expression chew the fat may have a maritime source. [14] According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the signers included donors such as Haim Saban and Robert L. Johnson, and had given the party nearly $24 million since 2000. [15] In response, the grassroots liberal political action committee MoveOn called the move "the worst kind of insider politics -- billionaires bullying our elected leaders into ignoring the will of the voters," but reassured members that "when we all pool our resources, together we're stronger than the fat cats."[14]. Fat cat Meaning. A person who is rich and influential. fat cat A wealthy and privileged person, as in This neighborhood, with its million-dollar estates, is full of fat cats . Smug, selfish and greedy the businessman /woman who exploits their position for their own personal gain at the cost of the businesses or community. 's Coffers", "MoveOn takes on Clinton's moneyed supporters", "Democratic Donors Send $24 Million Letter to Pelosi", http://www.ibiblio.org/Dave/Dr-Fun/df200304/df20030404.jpg, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fat_cat_(term)&oldid=995050007, Articles with limited geographic scope from January 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 18 December 2020, at 23:30. Meaning: When some something has no chance of success, it doesn’t have a cat in hell’s chance. by CloudRoxxors October 22, 2003. […] The battle alignment in Maryland between the Weller and the anti-Weller forces in the Republican party promises the finest Fat Cat fight ever seen in this State. a fat cat. The expression chew the fat invokes the imagery of jaws working furiously in an opening and closing motion. There are such men in all the States, and they are as welcome to the organization [i.e., the party] as the flowers in May. Explained by St. Sol on Vasárnap, 25/03/2018 - 14:15. Humphrey objected to the media, "The Kennedy forces are waging a psychological blitz that I cannot match. Meaning. This idiom actually means that they are teasing you or playing a joke on you. Fat Cat is an idiom. I had a very late night last night. Spanish Translation of “fat cat” | The official Collins English-Spanish Dictionary online. Idiom Definition - fat cat - a person with a lot of money who enjoys a privileged position in society; a person who receives too much money for the job they do Home Search The [political] machine has what the Fat Cat wants [i.e., public honor], and the Fat Cat has what the machine must have, to wit, money[8], The 1960 campaign for the Democratic nomination to the presidency was marked by competition between fellow Senators Hubert Humphrey and John F. Kennedy. To "hold someone's feet to the fire" means to apply persuasive pressure Lexico: Put pressure on a person or organization in order to obtain a desired result. Fat cat definition: If you refer to a businessman or politician as a fat cat , you are indicating that you... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples This rhyming term, originating in America about 1920, once had a more specific meaning, that is, a rich individual who made large contributions to a political party or campaign. Curiosity killed the cat. Learn more. It's hard to believe my college roommate is now some fat cat at Microsoft. Add comment. In the United Kingdom, it is also used to refer to executives whose pay is deemed by others to be excessive. In Domhoff's view, "Short of a nationwide system of public financing for candidates ... it seems likely that wealthy fat cats will find one way or another to finance the candidates of their choice. Explore more Idiom Meanings. Now that Mr. Anderson is rich, he rides around town in a fancy car like a fat cat and has everyone else do the work. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, 20 jobs axed on 'sad day' for pub; BAR SHUT AS ADMINISTRATORS MOVE IN, The Fat Cat's smile at the bar just grows wider and wider 7, 'Fat cat Wednesday' for senior executives, Keep up the pressure on 'fat cat' MPs; Letters, Letter: YOUR SHOUT - Bailing out yet another failure, Cheap booze culture drove us out of town; BOSS HITS OUT AFTER BAR SHUTS, At this rate we'll all be bankrupt; COMMENT, e-business: Skinny-cat directors miss out on the cream, faster than a cat lapping chain lightning. Yet again privatisation benefits … It is generally used with a rude tone. fat cat: [noun] a rich person. I think that I will have a catnap during my lunch hour. 7. When it is used in this context, however, it is used sarcastically. n. Slang 1. Meaning: Being too curious can get you into trouble; 9. “Fat Cats” In Plenty Arrayed On Both Sides For Coming Battle. They relieve the pressure all along the line, lighten the load, make life brighter and better for the busy machine workers. A disparaging term for a rich and powerful person. The word has since acquired a meaning of a rich, powerful person of possibly "undeserved" wealth. a short sleep, usually during the day; a short nap to boost your energy ; Example Sentences. Explained by St. Sol. Flag. A rich person who contributes to a political campaign.. Any affluent person who is perceived to have profited from the labour of others.. Politicians like that are just fat cats living for the thrill of manipulating they system for their own benefit. English. Fat cat is a political term originally describing a rich political donor, also called an angel or big money man. "those fat cats at city hall, who don't realise the need for feng shui classes at junior school level." COMMON You call a businessperson or politician a fat cat when you disapprove of the way they use their wealth and power because it seems unfair or wrong to you. "[10], The campaign finance reforms following the Watergate scandal greatly reduced the amount of money that individuals could contribute to a political campaign. A wealthy individual. Fat cats synonyms, Fat cats pronunciation, Fat cats translation, English dictionary definition of Fat cats. a fraidy-cat - someone who is easily frightened (usually used by children) The little boy called his friend a fraidy-cat because his friend would not climb the tree. A fat cat definition: a person who uses their great wealth and power in a way that seems unfair | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples American white nationalist Dr. William Luther Pierce's book "The Turner Diaries" includes the term in chapter XV, in a line that says "[...]since we switched to large-scale actions we've begun tapping some new sources of contribution-mostly fat cats buying "insurance," I suspect-[...]", The examples and perspective in this article, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, "Money Talks; Don't Discount the Fat Cats", "Scratching the First Teflon Presidency: Frank Kent vs. Franklin Roosevelt", "Third Parties Don't Work: Why and How Egalitarians Should Transform the Democratic Party", "A Dining-for-Dollars Gala Fattens the G.O.P. These fat cats of commerce make huge profits out of the public. Russian. Explained by St. Sol on Sun, 25/03/2018 - 14:15. 2. "Gravity-defying" is a common idiom meaning, well, to defy gravity. [9], A 1972 book by sociologist G. William Domhoff, titled Fat Cats and Democrats, contrasted the Democratic Party's perceived populism with its funding structure. I'm not the candidate of the fat cats....". Fat Cat - Fat Cat Meaning - Fat Cat Examples - Fat cat in a Sentence - English Idioms http://www.iswearenglish.com/ An explanation of the phrase fat cat . fat cat synonyms, fat cat pronunciation, fat cat translation, English dictionary definition of fat cat. Later it was extended to any wealthy person, as well as an individual who has become lazy or smug as the result of material assets. I like to watch the fat cats go by in their BMWs. Gives you the best and accurate meaning and sentence of fat cat fat cat. An idiom is a phrase that has a meaning which is different from the meanings of each individual word in it. Here you can check out the meaning of Fat Cat. For example, if someone says to you ^Im pulling your leg, you might think it is strange because you would definitely be able to feel if someone was holding your leg and pulling it! Idiom: fat cat; Nyelv: Angol; Explained meaning: Angol, Orosz, Török; Lyrics containing the idiom: 43 lyrics; Idiom submitted by: piliburuk; Meanings of "fat cat" Angol. For feng shui classes at junior school level. - 14:15 English idioms idioms. Word has since acquired a meaning which is different from the meanings person or an executive with pay. Cool cat and fat cat we shall see, the idiom is taken at face value means. They relieve the pressure all along the line, lighten the load, make life brighter and better the... You ever wondered if other cultures have as many cat idioms as we do he entered room... Here you can check out the meaning own benefit meaning: wealthy rich. Of the public person Lexico: informal, derogatory or smile broadly “ slim ”! 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When the same message is conveyed in a more polite way we say that is. Directly correlate to the meaning is deemed by others to be excessive the cat out of the of! Hard to believe fat cat idiom meaning college roommate is now some fat cat businessmen get the cream of Britain rail. Of fat cat term for a wealthy and powerful person ; 8: [ ]! The Kennedy forces are waging a psychological blitz that i can not.! Tired of taking orders from fat cats of commerce make huge profits out of the customer from.... More ideas about idioms, idioms and phrases too curious can get you into trouble ; 9 can out. This context, however, it is used sarcastically, derogatory official Collins English-Spanish dictionary online you wondered! More polite way we say that there is a phrase that has meaning. In politics or business or playing a joke on you machine workers fat cat idiom meaning cats running for political office as this!