“Catching Strays” Meaning: Explaining the Popular Slang Phrase

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Plus, where this phrase comes from & how to use it

Co-authored by Devin McSween Reviewed by Kiera Ayres

Last Updated: September 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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Meaning

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Usage

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Origins

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Less Common Meanings

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Related Slang

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You’ve probably seen people talking about someone “catching strays” on social media or while texting your friends. But what does this slang phrase mean? We’re here to help! “Catching strays” refers to someone receiving insults or criticism when they weren’t the subject of the conversation. In this article, we’ll explain how to use “catching strays,” where it comes from, and what some other, less common meanings of this phrase are. Keep reading to learn more!

“Catching Strays” Definition

When someone is “catching strays,” this means that they’re receiving insults, criticism, or ridicule in a conversation that wasn’t even about them. Basically, they’re collateral damage in someone else’s argument. It’s a metaphor for stray bullets, which are bullets that hit unintended targets.

Section 1 of 5:

Meaning of “Catching Strays”

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“Catching strays” refers to receiving an insult when you’re not the target. Basically, it means that you were an innocent bystander who got “hit” with insults, criticism, or negative comments during an argument or conversation, even though you weren’t the original subject of the exchange.^{[1]
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Kiera Ayres
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Expert Interview} For example, if your mom is scolding your sibling about their behavior and randomly mentions something irritating that you do, you caught some strays. In other words, you were collateral damage in a conversation that wasn’t even about you!^{[2]
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- Examples:
  - Lola: “Will you please drive me to school tomorrow? I really need a ride.”
    Marvin: “Fine, whatever. You’re only asking me because Brian, your boyfriend, is too lazy to go out of his way and pick you up.”
    - Brian is the one catching strays because he isn’t the original subject of the convo, but he’s being insulted.
  - Cameron: “You have to get a watch. I can’t stand how you’re always late.”
    Amara: “Please, I’ve never been more than 15 minutes late. Grace is the one who is always at least 1 hour late.”
    - Grace is catching strays because she isn’t the original subject of the argument, but she’s receiving criticism.
- Note: You don’t have to be physically present during the conversation or argument to catch strays. If the convo is happening online, you don’t have to be in the group chat, either.

Section 2 of 5:

How is “catching strays” used?

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People post about “catching strays” in funny memes on social media. It’s super common to get caught in the crossfire when a friend is complaining about or poking fun at someone else, causing you to get hit with an unexpected insult.^{[3]
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Kiera Ayres
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Expert Interview} So, lots of people share these moments in funny memes online, like on TikTok, X/Twitter, and Reddit, either to laugh at the situation or vent their frustrations.
- Lots of influencers and celebrities post about catching strays when they get caught up in online discourse or controversy. For instance, the streamer Clix posted a funny video reacting to getting randomly dissed on Kai Cenat’s stream.
- It’s also popular to post reaction memes when you catch strays, such as the iconic video of Nene Leakes saying, “Now why am I in it?”
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People use “catching strays” to talk about arguments in pop culture. Whether you’re a huge reality TV fan or deep into the world of hip-hop, there always seems to be a messy feud between 2 public figures, with other people getting dragged in when they have nothing to do with it. So, you’ll see “X is catching strays” in lots of memes and commentaries about these publicized spats.
- For instance, after Kendrick Lamar’s hit song Not Like Us blew up in the summer of 2024, lots of people posted about Drake catching strays when he was randomly brought up at award shows, like the Oscars, and during other musicians’ shows.
- People also use “catching strays” to talk about their favorite fictional arguments where a random, uninvolved character gets insulted, like in Friends or The Office.
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Use this slang to call out when someone you know is catching strays. You can also use “catching strays” in person or online to point out when a friend or someone else you know gets unintentionally insulted.^{[4]
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Kiera Ayres
Test Prep Instructor

Expert Interview} This can be a serious observation if the person is targeted in a heated argument, or a humorous comment if they were hit with some lighthearted (and entertaining) shade.
- Examples:
  - “How are you doing, Leo? You were catching strays in that argument between Jonah and Dominic. They had no right to insult you when you weren’t a part of it!”
  - “OMG, did you see Justin’s Instagram stories about Ace? Scott was catching strays left and right. Everyone loves to pick on him 😂”

Section 3 of 5:

Origins of “Catching Strays”

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“Catching strays” is a play on words for stray bullets. Stray bullets are bullets that hit an unintended target instead of the person or thing someone was aiming at.^{[5]
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Research source} “Catching strays” is a metaphor stemming from this phenomenon, with insults and criticism replacing the literal bullets that people are hit with.
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“Catching strays” started getting popular online in the early 2020s. “Catching strays” started popping up in memes and pop culture commentary on X/Twitter and TikTok in the early 2020s. It gained mainstream popularity during the many viral controversies in 2022, particularly Kanye West’s many public rants where he insulted several random people.^{[6]
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Section 4 of 5:

Less Common Meanings of “Catching Strays”

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It can refer to dating someone after they just ended a relationship. While less common, some people use “catching strays” as slang for dating or being intimate with someone very shortly after they were with someone else. It has a pretty derogatory and vulgar meaning that’s similar to saying someone is “sloppy seconds.”^{[7]
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- Example:
  - “I asked Dean out and he said yes, even though he just broke up with Ola! I guess I’m catching strays over here.”
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It can refer to literally capturing stray animals. “Catching strays” has a non-slang meaning that refers to searching for and capturing domesticated animals, like cats and dogs, that are wandering outside and don’t have an owner. People might say this phrase if they work or volunteer for an animal shelter, or if they found a stray animal and took them into their care.^{[8]
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- Example:
  - “Deanna is always catching strays at her job. I’m so glad there’s someone like her who cares about abandoned animals.”

Section 5 of 5:

Related Slang

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Check out some other popular slang terms below. “Catching strays” is just one of many slang terms that have gained popularity recently. We’ll provide a rundown of some other popular slang phrases and what they mean below!
- “I’m cooked” = I’m tired, done for, or insulted.
- “Let him cook” = Give him time and space to do his thing.
- “Lock in” = To be concentrated on a task.
- “Glazing” = Overly complimenting someone, or sucking up to someone.
- “Yapping” = Talking a lot about something that’s unimportant.
- “Aura” = Someone’s vibe or personality.