Eyes wide, claws out, hissing.

Meaning: This sentence captures the cat's defensive and fearful state.

Choice of Words: The sentence uses vivid sensory details to convey the cat's fear. "Eyes wide" suggests alertness, "claws out" indicates readiness to defend, "hissing" is a sound associated with fear or aggression.

Alternative Expressions

Fangs bared, tail raised, growling.

Meaning: This describes an animal that is very angry or scared. Its fangs are showing, its tail is raised, and it is growling. This is a warning to stay away.

Choice of Words: Fangs are the long, sharp teeth of animals. Bared means showing or uncovered. Tail is the long, thin part of an animal's body that extends from its back. Raised means lifted up. Growling is a low, deep sound made by animals, especially dogs, when they are angry or scared.

Scales gleaming, spines erect, rattling.

Meaning: This describes an animal that is very angry or scared. Its scales are shining, its spines are standing upright, and it is rattling its tail. This is a warning to stay away.

Choice of Words: Scales are the hard, overlapping plates that cover the body of some animals, such as fish and reptiles. Gleaming means shining or reflecting light. Spines are the sharp points that project from the back of some animals, such as hedgehogs and porcupines. Erect means standing upright. Rattling is a rapid, shaking sound.

Related Expressions