dead cat bounce
A temporary recovery in the price of a financial instrument which has fallen rapidly and is expected to fall further in the long run.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The stock price rose slightly, but it was just a dead cat bounce.”
“Do not buy these shares now because this recovery is a dead cat bounce.”
“Investors were fooled by the brief price increase, failing to realize it was merely a dead cat bounce before the market crashed again.”
“Experts warned that the small gain in the company's value was a dead cat bounce caused by short-term traders rather than real growth.”
“Market analysts cautioned that the sudden recovery in share prices was likely a dead cat bounce, as the underlying economic fundamentals remained fundamentally broken.”
The term draws upon the physical observation that a feline dropped from a sufficient height may exhibit a brief, kinetic recoil upon impact without this indicating any return to vitality. In financial contexts, it suggests that even a deceased animal will bounce if the fall is long enough, though the subsequent lack of movement remains the more pertinent condition.
- 01
beat a dead horse
To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.
- 02
bell the cat
To undertake a dangerous action in the service of a group.
- 03
bounce back
To recover from a negative situation without seemingly any damage.
- 04
bounce off
To test (ideas) on someone.
- 05
bounce off the walls
To be overly active relative to the enclosed space in which one is.
- 06
brown bread
[Cockney slang]dead
- 07
cat and dog life
An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.
- 08
cat got someone's tongue
Why is someone not saying anything?
Last updated August 10, 2026