alley cat

American  

noun

1. a homeless, usually mongrel, cat that scavenges for food in alleys, streets, etc.

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alley cat British  

noun

1. a homeless cat that roams in back streets

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alley cat Idioms  

1. A promiscuous woman; also, a person of loose morals. For example, She's constantly picking up men in bars—a real alley cat. This idiom transfers a stray cat that frequents alleys in search of food to a woman of easy virtue, especially a prostitute seeking customers. [Slang; early 1900s]

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Etymology

Origin of alley cat

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Andrea Sachs for The Washington Post: A beloved alley cat now lives in the Watergate.

From Slate • May 23, 2024

And although he has his own sleeping space in a spare room, the former alley cat of late seems to have discovered that bedding down with humans clearly has its charms.

From Seattle Times • May 6, 2022

“I thought ‘Well, that’s like one alley cat laughing at another alley cat — it’s all farm and dirt,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 12, 2021

Today Rampling lives with two cats – a huge Maine Coon called Joe and an alley cat called Felix.

From The Guardian • Mar. 27, 2021

“I don’t know. I get restless at night—like an alley cat, I guess.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck