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Second rat to the trap

Posted by Platypus on June 09, 2004

In Reply to: Second rat to the trap posted by Ward on June 09, 2004

: I've recently heard the expression 'he's always the second rat to the trap'. It is a not so complimentary description of an individual who seems to be at the right place and at the right time, after others have taken the risk and the arrows in opening a new opportunity. Is this heard elsewhere?

Your suggestion that being the second rat is a negative seems erroneous. Given that rats are much maligned critter, this antropomophication can lose its zeal. I have only heard the phrase as a retort to the old chestnut: "the early bird gets the worm". "Yeah, but, the second rat gets the cheese". Here it stresses the wisedom of caution, rather than victory for the pusillanimous. Discretion is the better half of valour.

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