curiosity killed the cat UK /kjʊə.ɹiˈɒs.ɪ.ti kɪld ðə ˈkæt/US /ˌkjʊɹ.iˈɑ.sə.ti kɪld ðə ˈkæt/ saying1 •One should not be curious about things that can be dangerous.They say curiosity killed a cat once, so I will take warning and let things remain as they are. — 1868