The phrase “herding cats” has become a popular metaphor in modern English, often used to describe the daunting challenge of managing or organizing a group of independent, uncooperative individuals. While its exact origins are unclear, the idiom gained widespread usage in American English by the 1980s and has since appeared in various contexts — from business and politics to everyday life.

Cats were domesticated over 9,000 years ago, yet unlike dogs — bred for specific tasks like hunting or herding — they have retained their fiercely independent nature. This inherent unpredictability makes the idiom particularly apt: attempting to control or direct stubbornly autonomous individuals is as futile as trying to herd a group of unruly felines.

The expression applies to a wide range of scenarios, whether describing a chaotic workplace with clashing agendas, coordinating a group project amid conflicting personalities, or even arranging plans with friends who have different priorities. Variations of the phrase, such as “herding kittens” (implying even greater patience is required) or “herding feral cats” (emphasizing extreme difficulty), highlight subtle nuances while preserving the core meaning.

Ultimately, “herding cats” endures as a vivid and relatable metaphor for the frustrations of managing the unmanageable.

For example:

Managing volunteers from 15 different organizations is like herding cats.

管理来自15个不同组织的志愿者简直像放猫一样，无从下手。