catch a stray
To be unexpectedly and casually insulted in a seemingly unrelated discussion or argument.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I was just listening, but I still caught a stray.”
“During their argument about the messy kitchen, he mentioned my cooking and I caught a stray.”
“While the two colleagues debated the merits of the new policy, I caught a stray when they criticized my department's overall lack of efficiency.”
From *catch* (“to be hit by”) + *a* + *stray* (“a stray bullet”).
- 01
catch a body
to kill, to murder
- 02
catch a break
To experience the minimal amount of good luck or a favorable outcome.
- 03
catch a case
To be infected with a disease; used with of.
- 04
catch a cold
To contract a cold.
- 05
catch a date
Of a prostitute, to secure a client who is willing to pay for services.
- 06
catch a fade
To get knocked out (struck and rendered unconscious).
- 07
catch a falling knife
To buy a financial instrument whose price is falling rapidly.
- 08
catch a packet
To be fired upon.
Last updated August 10, 2026