herd cats

present singular third person herds cats · participle present herding cats · participle past herded cats · past herded cats

1. idiomaticTo 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.

   4 more examples

   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

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

   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.

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

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

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

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

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

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see herd, cat.

   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.

   1924, Daniel Wolford La Rue, The Child’s Mind and the Common Branches, →OCLC, page 36