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cat around

C1 slang inseparable intransitive

In simple words

To go out looking for sexual partners in a casual way, like a stray cat roaming around.

Literal meaning: To behave like a cat (especially a tomcat) roaming around freely.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic slang

rare

(dated North American slang) To pursue casual sexual encounters; to be sexually unfaithful or promiscuous.

"His wife suspected he had been catting around while she was away on business."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

Chiefly North American and now dated or regional. More often applied to men. The metaphor comes from the behaviour of tomcats roaming in search of mates. Rarely used in contemporary speech; 'sleep around' or 'play the field' are more current.

Commonly used with

town bars nights

Forms

Base

cat around

I/you/we/they

3rd person

cats around

he/she/it

Past simple

cated around

yesterday

Past participle

cated around

have + pp

-ing form

cating around

continuous

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Synonyms

sleep around play the field philander fool around tomcat around

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