What’s the meaning of “Qui gatta ci cova”?

In this short lesson, we will learn the meaning of the Italian idiom Qui gatta ci cova along with its pronunciation. Do you have a sixth sense for spotting strange things? Then this expression is for you!

Let’s start! Iniziamo!

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Qui gatta ci cova

Meaning of the idiom

Qui gatta ci cova can be literally translated as “here a female cat is breeding”. Its meaning is equivalent to the English expression there’s something fishy going on, so it’s used as a synonym for “there’s something hidden in here and it’s not right”.

Linguistically, this idiom can be broken down into qui, which means here, gatta, which translates to female cat (male cat is gatto), and cova, which is a conjugation of the verb covare, to brood.

Usually it’s the hens that brood (covano le uova), though…

Le luci non dovrebbero essere spente. Qui gatta ci cova.
The lights should not be off. Something’s wrong here.

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Pronunciation of Qui gatta ci cova in Italian

Now let’s hear how this idiom is pronounced.

Jake non risponde da tre giorni. Qui gatta ci cova!
Jake hasn’t answered for three days. There’s something fishy here!

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Where does Qui gatta ci cova come from?

It is thought that this expression comes from the stance a cat takes when it is about to ambush its prey. It crouches down and attacks in complete silence.

And that’s the end of our lesson on the Italian idiom Qui gatta ci cova!

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What next?

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