# catch a stray

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. To be unexpectedly and casually insulted in a seemingly unrelated discussion or argument.

## Etymology
From catch (“to be hit by”) + a + stray (“a stray bullet”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/catch-a-stray