look what the cat('s) dragged in

look what the cat('s) dragged in

A mild and usually playful insult used to announce someone's arrival and suggest that the person has a messy or otherwise disheveled physical appearance. When Jennifer came in soaking wet from the rain, Candice laughed and said, "Look what the cat dragged in!" Hey, everybody, look what the cat's dragged in. How's retirement treating you, Joe?

See also: drag, look, what

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Look (at) what the cat dragged in!

Inf. Look who's here! (A good-humored and familiar way of showing surprise at someone's presence in a place, especially if the person looks a little rumpled. Compare this with look like something the cat dragged in.) Bob and Mary were standing near the doorway talking when Tom came in. "Look what the cat dragged in!" announced Bob. Mary: Hello, everybody. I'm here! Jane: Look at what the cat dragged in!

See also: cat, drag, look, what

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

look what the cat's dragged in

INFORMAL

You can say look what the cat's dragged in when someone arrives to express your dislike or disapproval of them, or as a light-hearted way of greeting them. In strolls Babs. `Now look what the cat's dragged in,' says Jeanie, with a nod.

See also: drag, look, what

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

Look (at) what the cat dragged in!

imperative Well, look who has just arrived! Look what the cat dragged in! I thought you would never get here.

See also: cat, drag, look, what

Look what the cat dragged in!

verb

See Look at what the cat dragged in!

See also: cat, drag, look, what

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.