herd catsとは 意味・読み方・使い方

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herd cats (third-person singular simple present herds cats, present participle herding cats, simple past and past participle herded cats)

1. (idiomatic, in similes) To attempt to control the uncontrollable; to attempt to manage a great many unruly factors or people to a single end.

   Managing volunteers from fourteen different organizations is like herding cats.

   • 1983, Paul Henry Mussen, Handbook of Child Psychology, volume 4, page viii:

     Finally, you present this vision and your goals to the authors; after that it’s like herding cats. Authors have their own perspectives on their topics, their own notions about what constitutes significant issues and adequate coverage

   • 1987, Lance Brilliantine, “Dual color copying”, in Office Administration and Automation, page 20:

     Trying to predict the future of office automation is like trying to herd cats. Things go in so many directions, you end up with a fist full of air.

   • 2004, Kent Conrad, “Tributes to Thomas A. Daschle”, in Proceedings in the Senate (US Senate):

     The job of leader has often been compared to herding cats. It is not easy, but Senator DASCHLE did an outstanding job.

   • 2021 January 13, Paul Clifton, “Delivering a basis for rail changes”, in RAIL. issue 922, page 32:

     It must feel like herding cats, with 20-or-so members and with the big five franchise owning groups.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see herd,‎ cat.
   • 1924, Daniel Wolford La Rue, The Child’s Mind and the Common Branches, →OCLC, page 36:

     It would be hard teaching a shepherd dog to herd cats, or even to herd sheep, before he leaves off his puppy ways and shows himself ready to become a good shepherd.

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アナグラム

• cartshed, destarch, starched