Keep an eye on the cat and another on the frying pan.

This proverb advises divided vigilance: attend to the task at hand (the frying pan) while also watching for opportunistic interference (the cat). In domestic settings, a cat might steal food the moment the cook looks away, so the saying becomes a compact lesson in practical prudence—don’t let focus on one responsibility create an opening for another problem. More broadly, it applies to any situation where progress requires both execution and risk management: while you work, keep an eye on what could undermine the work, whether that’s a rival, a temptation, or an avoidable mistake.