Meaning of dead cat | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see dead, cat.
2. A shocking or sensational announcement made in order to distract one's political base from existing problems and previous failures.
   figuratively, neologism
3. A furry windscreen; a furry cover placed over a microphone to muffle the sound of wind.
   figuratively

Examples

“"A camera operator needs batteries, lenses, cards, filters. A wardrobe supervisor has racks of costumes. A sound recorder carries a dead cat on a stick. But a director only needs his folder."”

“2019, July 2. "Film 101: What Is a Boom Operator? Understanding the Job of a Boom Operator", Masterclass.com. "The mic blimp is a wind-resistant cover that goes over the boom mic to reduce environmental background noise. It's commonly referred to as a "dead cat", because it's covered in fuzzy gray hair."”

“dead cat strategy”

“The problem is that once the idea of the dead cat had been discovered, suddenly there were deceased felines everywhere. Everything was a dead cat—every policy, every interview, every gaffe. Everything existed only to detract attention from something else.”

“Boris Johnson looked strained as he entered the House of Commons at midday on Wednesday, hoping that a "dead cat" and an apology over Downing Street parties would dig him out of his latest political hole.”

“But by Wednesday night, a massive dead cat was required to distract from a day of denied parties and prioritised pets, so Johnson banged plan B on the kitchen table, alienating backbench Covid sceptics.”

CEFR level