Kilkenny cats meaning

The phrase "Kilkenny cats" describes a fight or conflict where both parties are so determined to win that neither will back down.


Kilkenny cats definitions

Word backwards ynnekliK stac
Part of speech The term "Kilkenny cats" is a noun phrase.
Syllabic division Kil-ken-ny cats
Plural Kilkenny cats.
Total letters 12
Vogais (3) i,e,a
Consonants (8) k,l,n,y,c,t,s

Kilkenny Cats

Kilkenny cats is an old Irish phrase used to describe a situation where opponents in a conflict are so evenly matched that they continue to fight until both are destroyed.

Origin of the Term

The term Kilkenny cats originated from a story about two cats from the Irish city of Kilkenny who were known for their fierce fighting. The cats fought so ferociously that they consumed each other entirely, leaving nothing behind.

Meaning and Usage

Today, the term is used metaphorically to describe situations where two opponents are engaged in a destructive conflict with no clear winner. It emphasizes the futility of such conflicts and the idea that both parties may be ultimately harmed.

Popular Culture

The term has been used in literature, film, and other forms of media to symbolize intense and unending rivalries. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of stubbornness and the importance of compromise.

Kilkenny cats serves as a reminder that sometimes it is better to find common ground and work together rather than engaging in a fruitless battle that only leads to mutual destruction.


Kilkenny cats Examples

  1. The two politicians debated fiercely like Kilkenny cats, each trying to overpower the other with their arguments.
  2. After hours of negotiation, the two companies decided to merge rather than continue fighting like Kilkenny cats over the contract terms.
  3. The siblings fought over the inheritance with such intensity that their lawyer remarked they were like Kilkenny cats clawing at each other.
  4. The rival sports teams played with such passion that the game felt like watching Kilkenny cats in a fierce battle.
  5. The two actors on set had such intense chemistry that their scenes together felt like a clash of Kilkenny cats.
  6. The students argued over the best approach to solving the math problem, each defending their method like Kilkenny cats refusing to back down.
  7. During the legal dispute, the lawyers for both sides fought in court like Kilkenny cats, each trying to outmaneuver the other.
  8. The siblings' rivalry was so intense that family gatherings often turned into a battleground resembling a fight between Kilkenny cats.
  9. The two scientists had conflicting theories and debated like Kilkenny cats, neither willing to concede their point of view.
  10. The managers in the meeting clashed over the budget allocation, arguing like Kilkenny cats over a scrap of meat.


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  • Updated 02/04/2024 - 14:09:29