look what the cat's dragged in
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From the habit of domestic cats of bringing home the remains of killed animals.
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Phrase[edit]
look what the cat's dragged in!
- (idiomatic) Used as an ironic acknowledgement of someone's arrival, especially to imply that they are unwelcome or disagreeable in some way.
- 2012, Cory Doctorow, Charles Stross, The Rapture of the Nerds, Tor Books, →ISBN, page 283:
- “Well, look what the cat drug in, Sam,” says a familiar voice, which comes, of course, from everywhere and nowhere.
Usage notes[edit]
- Not to be confused with to look like something the cat dragged in.