Kilkenny cats

plural noun

1. a pair of proverbial cats in Ireland who fought until only their tails were left.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kilkenny cats¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Calhoun was one of them, and he became a mainstay in Athens as the bass player for a group called Fashion Battery, and later, the Kilkenny Cats.

From Seattle Times

Many sported black-and-amber flags, scarves and other paraphernalia of the Kilkenny Cats, County Kilkenny’s highly successful hurling team.

From Washington Post

Perhaps they will fall out like the Kilkenny cats.

From Project Gutenberg

Well might the Viceroy laugh, while he made believe to tremble, as he thought of the Kilkenny cats.

From Project Gutenberg

If a collision could only be brought about between a self-elected military despotism and an effete but constitutional senate, there were the materials for such a pretty quarrel as might produce a repetition of the fate of the Kilkenny cats.

From Project Gutenberg