waifs and strays
Lost abandoned children
Waifs and strays are homeless or neglected people or animals, especially children.
A waif is an abandoned child; a stray is a lost animal.
Together, the phrase evokes vulnerable creatures without caretakers: The shelter takes in waifs and strays from across the city.
Extended to things, it can mean odds and ends or miscellaneous items left behind.
- foster careSupervised substitute parenting
- homelessWithout a dwelling
- down and outLacking money and hope
- adoption agencyService arranging child placement
- taken inFooled by false pretenses
orphan · feral · destitute · in need · foundling · marginalized · urchin · rescue dog · picked up · ragamuffin · outcast · abandoned · left behind · thrown away · neglected · social worker · charity organization · lost cause
social belonging and stability
waifs and strayspillars of the community
Respected, influential local figures
landed gentry · homebodies · insiders · natives · locals