ENGLISH
REFERENCE

look what the cat's dragged in

idiom
Meaning

Used as an ironic acknowledgement of someone's arrival, either jocularly or to imply that they are unwelcome or disagreeable in some way.


Origin

disputed origin

From the habit of domestic cats of bringing home the remains of killed animals.

Examples
SIMPLE

Look what the cat's dragged in, you finally arrived.

CONTEXTUAL

I turned around to see my brother standing in the doorway and laughed, saying, look what the cat's dragged in.

COMPLEX

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.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    ain't what it used to was

    Is not what it used to be; (expressing nostalgia).

  2. 02

    butcher's

    [Cockney slang]look

  3. 03

    cat's cradle

    Any complicated structure that appears to be without purpose.

  4. 04

    cat's meow

    A self-satisfied person.

  5. 05

    come what may

    In spite of anything that might happen; whatever may occur.

  6. 06

    dirty look

    An unpleasant or disdainful look or expression, often directed at someone.

  7. 07

    do exactly what it says on the tin

    To do what is described or what one would expect, with no further explanation needed.

  8. 08

    do what

    An intensified version of what? or huh?, expressing surprise or lack of comprehension

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