look what the cat's dragged in
Used as an ironic acknowledgement of someone's arrival, either jocularly or to imply that they are unwelcome or disagreeable in some way.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Look what the cat's dragged in, you finally arrived.”
“Look what the cat's dragged in, you look exhausted after your long trip.”
“I turned around to see my brother standing in the doorway and laughed, saying, look what the cat's dragged in.”
“My old roommate walked into the party uninvited, and I whispered to my friend, look what the cat's dragged in.”
“When the rival coach entered the meeting room, the director joked, look what the cat's dragged in, to break the tension.”
“The room fell silent as the disgraced former partner entered, prompting the host to remark with a sharp smile, look what the cat's dragged in.”
The expression arises from the domestic cat’s habit of presenting the remains of its prey to its owners. It appears in the English lexicon as a comparison between the dishevelled or unwelcome arrival of a person and the state of a small, deceased animal deposited upon a rug.
- 01
ain't what it used to was
Is not what it used to be; (expressing nostalgia).
- 02
bell the cat
To undertake a dangerous action in the service of a group.
- 03
butcher's
[Cockney slang]look
- 04
cat and dog life
An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.
- 05
cat got someone's tongue
Why is someone not saying anything?
- 06
cat in the meal-tub
Something concealed; a hidden danger.
- 07
cat piss
Any beverage of low quality.
- 08
cat that ate the canary
A person who appears self-satisfied or smug, especially while concealing something mischievous, prohibited, or private.
Last updated August 10, 2026