JLPT N2Idioms

借りてきた猫

Meaning
普段と違っておとなしく縮こまっている様子
Explanation
「借りてきた猫」 describes someone who is unusually quiet and shrinking back compared to normal. It is used for one's manner in an unfamiliar place. It is the exact opposite of c1 「活発で落ち着きがない」, so be careful not to mix them up.
Original Japanese explanation

「借りてきた猫」は、普段とは違っておとなしく縮こまっている様子を表します。慣れない場所での態度に使います。c1「活発で落ち着きがない」とは正反対なので取り違えに注意しましょう。

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