Proverb: "When the cat's away, the mice will play."

Proverb: "When the cat's away, the mice will play."

Meaning: People will relax when the boss, teacher, parent, etc., is not there to keep them working.

Mini-Dialogue:

Artie: Hey, let's take a break!
Bertie: Well, we just had one, but since Mr. Dithers is out, why not? When the cat's away, the mice will play!

Sometimes we can just use the first half of the proverb: "When the cat's away..."