Do not say 'cat' until you have it in the bag — do not count your chickens before they are hatched. The proverb warns against premature celebration or announcement of results that are not yet certain.
This proverb brings together two of Italian popular culture's favourite animals — the cat and the proverbial pig-in-a-poke — in a uniquely Italian formulation. The image is drawn from the world of country markets and fairs, where the 'buying a pig in a poke' trick was a well-known fraud: a buyer would be sold a sack supposedly containing a piglet, only to discover a cat inside. The Italian proverb inverts this scenario — it warns not to claim you have the valuable thing (the cat, in this case the prize or the successful outcome) until it is securely in your hands. The proverb circulated widely from the 16th century onward and was reinforced by the Italian experience of plans going wrong at the last moment, a theme very present in Italian literature and folk wisdom. It is closely related to the English 'don't count your chickens' but has a more vivid, slightly humorous quality due to the specific image of a cat in a bag. Today it is commonly used in sports contexts, in business, and in personal conversations about hoped-for outcomes that have not yet been confirmed.
Connected to the pan-European 'buying a pig in a poke' tradition of country market fraud; documented in Italian sources from the 16th century.
Before the final results of an election
I sondaggi ci danno avanti, ma non dire gatto se non lo hai nel sacco — aspettiamo i voti reali.
The polls show us ahead, but do not say 'cat' until you have it in the bag — let us wait for the real votes.
A sportsperson leading in a competition with one round to go
Siamo in testa, ma non dire gatto se non lo hai nel sacco. Manca ancora un tempo.
We are in the lead, but do not say 'cat' until you have it in the bag. There is still one half to play.
A job interview that seemed to go well
Mi sembra sia andata bene. — Non dire gatto se non lo hai nel sacco — aspetta la loro chiamata.
It seems to me it went well. — Do not say 'cat' until you have it in the bag — wait for their call.
Premature celebration at a business deal
Hanno firmato il contratto? — Hanno detto di sì, ma non dire gatto se non lo hai nel sacco — voglio vederlo firmato.
Did they sign the contract? — They said yes, but do not say 'cat' until you have it in the bag — I want to see it signed.