a figure of speech to illustrate when a person takes one viewpoint with one audience, but will take the opposite viewpoint with another in efforts to be liked or create harmony.
-That politician is petting both sides of the cat.
-When your Mom shares Pro-Trump Facebook posts, but at dinner claims to believe he's a racist you would be correct to say: "Mom, you are petting both sides of the cat."
Day 1, person 1--" Hey, don't tell anyone about that secret thing that i told you confidentially, in private while we were in the elevator by ourselves and no one else was there, ok?"
Day 1, person 2--"I'm putting the cat in the bag!"
D1,P1--" I'm serious! "
D1,P2-- "Doood, cat's in the bag!"
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Day 3, Person 1--- "Who let the cat out of the bag??"