Not enough room to swing a cat
(Li is accompanying Finn as he goes flat hunting)
| Finn: | This is flat number five, Li. I'm happy you came along to help me find a nice place to live. |
| Li: | Renting a new place is a big step, Finn. This one looks good. Look here. Big windows, lots of light coming in. Isn't it nice? |
| Finn: | Yeah. It's good but ... |
| Li: | It's been painted recently. Look, the wooden floor is lovely! |
| Finn: | Yes, you're right, it's lovely but ... Li ... there's not enough room to swing a cat! |
| Li: | A cat? Are you sure? No problem. I saw one outside. I'll be back in a minute. |
| (She leaves the room for a few seconds) | |
| Finn: | Li, what is this?! |
| Li: | It's a cat, Finn. I didn't know you liked swinging cats around, but ... well, this cat was just outside and you can try swinging it! Just be gentle with it. |
| Finn: | No, Li. I don't swing cats. In English, you use the expression 'there's not enough room to swing a cat' when you want to say a place is much too small. |
| Li: | What a relief! |
| Finn: | 'Not enough room to swing a cat' is today's expression in The English We Speak. Let's hear some examples of how to use it. |
Examples
| Finn: | So, not enough room for me in this flat, Li. But thanks for coming with me all the same. |
| Li: | So what are you going to do, Finn? |
| Finn: | I think I'll just move in with my brother. |
| Li: | Is his flat small? Could you ... swing a cat there? |
| Finn: | In my brother's house cats rule! He loves furry little animals. |
| Li: | Well, I think this cat might join you there. Let's go, Finn. Bye. |
| Finn: | Bye. And no cat was harmed in the recording of this programme. Isn't that right, Tubby? |
| Tubby: | Meow. |