care killed a cat
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Synonym of curiosity killed the cat.
Register: archaic
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
“Come, come,” said Silver; “stow this talk. He’s dead, and he don’t walk, that I know; leastways, he won’t walk by day, and you may lay to that. Care killed a cat. Fetch ahead for the doubloons.”
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “care killed a cat” mean?
Synonym of curiosity killed the cat.
Is “care killed a cat” formal or informal?
care killed a cat is generally archaic.