Japanese Idiom “Put on a Cat”, 猫をかぶる (neko wo kaburu)

Definition

猫を被る (ねこをかぶる, neko wo kaburu) is a Japanese idiom that literally means “put on a cat”. It figuratively indicates the act of putting up a façade and pretending to be nicer than usual (i.e. hide one’s true colours). It alludes to the two-faced character of a cat, which is usually very cute but can be ferocious at times.

One of the most common examples of the act of “putting on a cat” is when a chatty person pretends to be coy and quiet around strangers. Another example is when one dates someone and acts kind and cool (and shows his/her true colours later). This word is often used to describe ぶりっこ (burikko), i.e. a girl who acts cute and coy around guys.

Example Sentences

Ex1
いつもはかなりおしゃべりだけど、今日きょうは猫を被って大人おとなしくしていた
Usually, I am very talkative, but today I stayed quiet, hiding my real personality.

Ex2
あの子こ、いつもは悪口わるぐちばっか言いっているのに彼氏かれしの前まえでは猫かぶっているよね。
She is always talking a lot of sh*t, but when she is with her boyfriend, she pretends to be a nice person.

See also

For cat/idiom lovers

8 Funny Japanese Idioms Related to Cat (猫, neko)

Synonyms and Related Words

Synonyms: 良いい子こぶる (pretend to be a good person; act obsequiously)
Synonyms in English: hide one’s true colours, hide oneself, put up a façade
Related words and phrases: 猫 ねこ (cat), 被かぶる (wear, put on)