alley cat

IPA/ˈæli kæt/
IPA/ˈæli kæt/

alley cat — noun

1. a cat with no home that finds food and shelter around city streets instead of li

1.名詞B2
釋義

a cat with no home that finds food and shelter around city streets instead of living with an owner.

例句

A wet alley cat hid behind the market bins during the storm.

an alley cat in a concrete street scene

The children left water outside when the alley cat returned at dusk.

return of a familiar alley cat

同義詞
  • stray cat

    the neutral everyday term for a cat without an owner.

  • street cat

    common in rescue contexts; stresses outdoor city life.

反義詞
  • house cat

    a cat kept as a domestic animal in someone's home.

  • pet cat

    emphasises that the cat belongs to an owner.

文法句型

an alley cat

feed/rescue an alley cat

用法筆記

Usually refers to a cat living outdoors in a town or city, often one that survives by finding scraps or relying on occasional help from people.

2. a hard, street-smart person who will push, risk, and endure a lot in order to su

2.名詞C1
釋義

a hard, street-smart person who will push, risk, and endure a lot in order to survive or get what they want.

例句

People in the district call Marta an alley cat because she survives anything.

call someone an alley cat

After three layoffs, Darnell stayed calm and proved he was an alley cat.

be an alley cat after hard setbacks

同義詞
  • survivor

    broader and less vivid; focuses on enduring hardship rather than rough tactics.

  • scrapper

    emphasises fighting spirit, especially in conflict or sport.

反義詞
  • pushover

    someone who gives in easily instead of fighting back.

  • soft touch

    someone who is easy to exploit because they are too yielding.

文法句型

be an alley cat

fight like an alley cat

用法筆記

Used about someone's rough, survival-driven toughness, often with a mix of criticism and admiration. It is stronger and grittier than simply saying someone is determined.