[look|feel] like something the cat [bring|drag] in
1
to look very disorganized and untidy
The origin of this phrase is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have emerged in the UK in the 19th century. At that time, it was common for domestic cats to bring in small animals they had caught as gifts for their owners, often leaving the dead or injured creatures on the doorstep. This behavior may have led to the association of cats with unclean or unpleasant things, which in turn led to be used in a humorous or teasing way of a person who looks dirty or disheveled.
- He looks like something the cat brought in with his disheveled hair and dirty clothes.
- She looks like something the cat dragged in after a long night of partying, with smudged makeup and tired eyes.
- They feel like something the cat dragged in after a strenuous workout, sore and fatigued.
- Yesterday, she had felt like something the cat brought in after staying up all night studying, mentally drained and sleep-deprived.