What Does the Cat Cry Thumbs Up Meme Mean?

PDF download Download Article
Everything you need to know about this viral meme
PDF download Download Article

Have you seen the picture of a sad kitty giving a thumbs-up on social media and wondered what it meant? This popular reaction meme is Cat Cry Thumbs Up or Thumbs Up Crying Cat. It means that the person using it is sadly resigned to the situation they find themselves in. Read on to find out more about where this meme came from and how to use it in texts or on social media.

Cat Cry Thumbs Up Meme Meaning

The Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme features a cat with large, tear-filled eyes making a thumbs-up sign. In most cases, it means the user is expressing sadness or hurt feelings but is resigned to or accepting of the situation.

Section 1 of 4:

What is the Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme has been photoshopped to make the cat look like it’s crying and holding up its thumb. It suggests that the person sending or posting it has been hurt but is smiling through the pain. It may also mean that they're trying to hide your emotions, but just can’t quite manage it.
    • It can also mean that someone's feeling a blend of sadness and duty, as in, “Man, this sucks. Let’s just get it over with.” [1]
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

How to Use the Cat Cry Thumbs Up Meme

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    One of the most popular uses is to react to criticism with the Cat Cry Thumps Up meme. It lets the person criticizing you know that you’re working as hard as you can, and it hurts that they don’t recognize that. A few examples of how to use it to respond to such criticism are:
    • Use it when a random player on your Fortnite team says, “You’re trash at this, noob,” but you just bought the game and are trying your best to figure things out.
    • Use it when someone says, “Your English is so bad! Where did you learn it?” but you’re Norwegian and visiting the United States from Norway, just trying your best to communicate.
    • Use it to describe the feeling Rick Astley has when everybody says, “Haha! You got Rick Rolled!” but he was just trying his best to make a good song.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Sometimes people ask you to do something, and you don’t want to, but feel obligated to do it anyway. The Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme is the perfect response. Here are a few examples of how to use it:
    • Use it when your boss asks you to stay late at the end of your 8-hour shift, and you’re exhausted, but you need the money.
    • Use it when your best friend in the world, who you’d do anything for, asks you if you can help them carry a piano up to their 6th-floor apartment.
    • Use it when your dad, who has worked hard his entire life to make sure you were taken care of, asks you to mow the lawn because his back hurts.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d0\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d0\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Make a funny point about how a statement might come across as a little hurtful with the help of the Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme. Examples of statements and captions for the reaction meme:
    • Teacher: “If you don’t study, you’ll end up working as a garbage man.”
      Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme with the caption: The Garbage man, taking away trash so it doesn’t pile up in the neighborhood.
    • People in 2020: “Bats are the worst! They gave us all Covid and ruined our lives!”
      Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme with the caption: Bats eating mosquitos and just wanting to be left alone.
    • Me: “This computer is worthless.”
      Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme with the caption: My PC after giving me 6 years of faithful service.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Cat Crying Thumbs Up meme can help you express the complex mix of emotions you feel when you’ve worked hard and used your last ounce of physical and mental energy to finish a difficult task. Here are a few examples:
    • Use it when you finally beat the boss level after replaying it for hours.
    • Use it to show how it feels to cross the finish line of a 5K you forgot you signed up for and didn’t prepare for.
    • Use it when you finally turn in an assignment after staying up all night to finish it.
  5. 5
    React to a disappointment you just have to get over. Sometimes, when you’re facing a disappointment, the only thing you can do is try to get over it. Here are a few ways to use the Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme to show how that feels:
    • Use it when a random stranger says it’s time to go after you’ve played online together for 7 hours straight.
    • Use it to show how it feels to watch your boyfriend tag other people in memes.
    • Use it to express your emotions after the first bite of your dinner burns your mouth, so you can’t taste anything else.
    6. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Where did the Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme come from?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A user uploaded the image of a cat giving a thumbs up to the JabGood servers. This first version of the meme was only giving a thumbs-up and didn’t have the sad eyes of the most famous version. [2]
    • Cat memes are extremely popular on the internet, with a long history of becoming viral memes like Grumpy Cat and Lil’ Bub . [3]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Reddit version of the Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme used the same image as the original but with the crying eyes of the preexisting Sad Cat meme photoshopped on it. The user gave the crying cat image the caption, “Sad thumbs up.” [4]
    • The image got over 1,700 Reddit Karma points and a 99% upvote rate in 1 year.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    While the image was originally uploaded to Reddit nearly 3 years earlier, it didn’t become popular until 2020. A Twitter user named @SaoryEmanoelle replied to a post by @RespectfulMemes with the Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme.
    4. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Related Cat Memes

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Serious Cat meme features an image of a white cat with an unusually serious expression on his face accompanied by the caption, “I are serious cat. This is serious thread.” The image was posted on a South Korean web community called Humor University in early 2005. Serious Cat made its way to the 4chan message board in 2006, where it was introduced to a Western audience and quickly went viral. [5]
    • Users shared Serious Cat to express humorous levels of seriousness.
    • Serious Cat was originally known as Jae-Young Cat due to the perceived resemblance to South Korean DJ/rapper Jae Young.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Crying Cat meme consisted of images of cats that have had glassy, teary eyes photoshopped on to make them look like they’re crying. The earliest known version of this meme appeared in June of 2014 and was a photoshopped version of the earlier Serious Cat meme. It was humorously used on social media to express over-the-top sadness. [6]
    • Other names for this meme are Sad Cat and Schmuserkadser.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Cry-Cat-Thumbs-Up-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Thumbs Up Cat is a series of photoshopped cat images that feature different cats giving a thumbs up . While the Cat Cry Thumbs Up meme is a version of the Thumbs Up Cat, the Thumbs Up Cat has been traced back to a 2011 YouTube video of a cat named Jimmy giving their owner a thumb’s up. [7] It’s generally used as a humorous way to show agreement.
    • There were several versions of the Cat Thumbs Up meme, but the Cat Cry Thumbs Up was the most viral of them all.
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      What Does WYA Mean? Snapchat, Texting, and More
      How to
      Find Out Who Owns an Instagram Account
      How to
      Watch TikTok Content Without Having to Install the App
      3 Simple Ways to Tell if Someone Has Snapchat Plus
      What Does <3 Mean on Social Media?
      What Happens When You Block Someone on IG: Will They Know?
      Explaining Whether You Look Like Your Inverted or Mirror Image
      What Does "IMK" Mean Over Text and on Social Media?
      How to
      React When Someone Blocks You
      How to
      See Deleted Tweets of Your Own or Others
      Simple Ways to Unfollow on TikTok: Unfollowing Limits & Fixes
      The Meaning of “Stitch Incoming” on TikTok (Plus, How to Stitch Videos)
      8 Easy Ways to Fix Instagram Invite Collaborator Not Showing
      100 Cute, Funny, and Hype Comments for Social Media Posts
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://en.meming.world/wiki/Thumbs_Up_Crying_Cat
      2. ↑ https://en.meming.world/wiki/Thumbs_Up_Crying_Cat
      3. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/33848745
      4. ↑ https://en.meming.world/wiki/Thumbs_Up_Crying_Cat
      5. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/serious-cat/
      6. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/crying-cat
      7. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/thumbs-up-cat

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 406 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement