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Meaning of softly, softly, catchee monkey | Babel Free

Phrase CEFR C2

Definitions

  1. Proceed cautiously or gently to achieve an objective.
  2. Capture a target without startling it and causing it to run away.

Examples

“"Prudens qui patiens," was the motto of our great Coke : a motto which the negro pithily paraphrases — "Softly, softly, catch monkey."”
“It is a West Coast proverb, which says, “Softly, softly, catchee monkey."”
“the really important part of Scouting is to become good Scouts — "wise old birds," in fact. "Softly, softly, catchee monkey!" Not by making a row, but by cunning and kindness”
“Having failed to secure a Press Council of the sort they wanted, they are now trying, in a small way, to get something established — on the old principle of ‘Softly, softly, catchee monkey.’”
“Softly, softly, catchee monkey, I thought to myself....slow and sure was the way with a woman like this.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See also

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