cat and rat

• Bezeichnet eine Situation, in der eine Partei die andere rücksichtslos verfolgt oder bedrängt, oft spielerisch oder feindselig, ähnlich wie eine Katze eine Ratte jagt.

A phrase describing a situation where one party pursues or harasses another in a relentless, often playful or adversarial manner, similar to a cat chasing a rat.

1. A game of pursuitB2informal

   A situation where one person or group is constantly chasing or pursuing another, often in a playful or competitive manner.

   Katz-und-Maus-Spiel

   • The police and the thief played a game of cat and rat through the city streets.
   • In the office, it's like a cat and rat game between the sales and marketing teams.
   • The children were playing cat and rat in the backyard.

2. Unequal power dynamicC1informal

   A relationship where one party has a clear advantage over the other, often leading to a cycle of pursuit and evasion.

   Ungleiches Kräfteverhältnis

   • The small startup felt like a rat being chased by the corporate cat.
   • In the world of espionage, it's a constant cat and rat game between agents.
   • The negotiations turned into a cat and rat game, with each side trying to outsmart the other.