alley cat

alley cat

A derogatory term for a person (typically a woman) considered immoral or promiscuous, especially a prostitute. The term "tomcat" (or "tom cat," literally a male cat) is more common when referring to a man. I'd be wary of her. She's known around here as a bit of an alley cat.
See also: alley, cat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

alley cat

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]
See also: alley, cat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • garden tool
  • painted cat
  • saltine
  • twenty
  • 20
  • 420
  • nut factory
  • nut-foundry
  • nuthatch
  • nuthouse
References in periodicals archive
Five O'Clock has been named "One of America's Best Steakhouses" by TV host Rachael Ray, TravelandLeisure.com and was featured on the Travel Channel's "Steak Paradise 3." The Alley Cat Lounge features free live music weekly, classic cocktails and a 1940's retro-lounge ambiance.
Five O'Clock Steakhouse Welcomes Iconic Group of "School of Rock On Tour" Musicians
In a statement, Alley Cat said: "Almost 18 months ago, the Alley Cat premises underwent a PS150,000 refurbishment to open a new and expanded diner with a new kitchen.
THE ALLEY RAT; Bar fined after inspectors find rodent in fridge
At a meeting with councillor Nicky Walker, Executive member for environment, another resident said: "If you can get along [the alley] for refuse why can't you get a wagon along for the recycling?" Councillor Walker explained the council had a smaller "alley cat" wagon - but the recycling contractor only had standard sized bin wagons which could not get down alleys.
Residents rubbish 'multi bin' refuse collection move
Don't panic - it's only Kerry who has more lives than an alley cat.
WE LOVE SOAPS
There's nothing sharp about this alley cat's claws.
7 Discs; PICK OF THE WEEK; Steve Hendry on DVD, Blu-ray and games
Most "trap-neuter-return" feral cat groups provide vaccines and other veterinary services prior to releasing them, according to a survey of 120 such groups conducted by Alley Cat Rescue, a feral cat TNR advocacy group.
Feedback from TNR groups
THE ALLEY CAT. Alley cats only send invitations to people they know or people they have a specific reason for connecting to, but they accept invitations from just about anyone.
What's your LinkedIn style?
"What more does an alley cat need than good food and good friends?" chirps TC at one point.
Feline not so fine; ON SCREEN TOP CAT: THE MOVIE (U, 90 MINS) Featuring the voices of Jason Harris, Chris Edgerly, Matthew Piazzi, Bill Lobley, Ben Diskin, Melissa Disney
"The Cheshire Cheese Cat" is a unique tale set in Victorian England as alley cat Skilley wants to set himself up as a mouser for a local inn.
The Cheshire Cheese Cat
"Alley Cat" Rizner, 85, passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at Harrington Healthcare at Hubbard.
Albert P. Rizner, 85
Our picks: historic Quincy Courtyard Suites for lodgings and its Alley Cat Cafe; Cafe Le Coq for dinner; and mountain biking in the Lakes Basin area, plumascounty.org
Brake for these towns: go now: 5 cool destinations you've never heard of
They approach a fat cat, then an alley cat without success but in the end they find a solution and everyone is happy.
Andrews, Jane: Zoe and the Wishing Star
The band, who are reminiscent of an early New Order, played all the favourites, including, Shake A Fist, Boy From School, No Fit State and the new single, Alley Cat, which went down well with the crowd in the university's Great Hall.
Hot night from kings of new rave; Review: Hot Chip Cardiff University *****
Two little girls tripping out Alley Cat, Red River Valley,
Black Baldwin Grand