rag
1a worthless piece of cloth, especially one that is torn or worn.
rags, ragged or tattered clothing: The tramp was dressed in rags.
any article of apparel regarded deprecatingly or self-deprecatingly, especially a dress: It's just an old rag I had in the closet.
a shred, scrap, or fragmentary bit of anything.
Informal.
something of very low value or in very poor condition.
a newspaper or magazine regarded with contempt or distaste: Are you still subscribing to that rag?
a person of shabby or exhausted appearance.
a large roofing slate that has one edge untrimmed.
Idioms about rag
chew the rag. chew (def. 11).
from rags to riches, from extreme poverty to great wealth: He went from rags to riches in only three years.
Origin of rag
1Words Nearby rag
Other definitions for rag (2 of 4)
to subject a person to teasing or scolding, especially in an intense or prolonged way (usually followed by on): Some of the boys were ragging on him about his haircut.
to criticize a person or thing (usually followed by on): He rags and whines to me instead of fixing the problem.I wish reviewers would stop ragging on the movie.
to subject to teasing or scolding, especially in an intense or prolonged way: He was ragged at school for not joining a sports team.
to criticize.
British. to torment with jokes; play crude practical jokes on.
British. an act of ragging; a cruel or crude practical joke.
Origin of rag
2Other definitions for rag (3 of 4)
to break up (lumps of ore) for sorting.
Origin of rag
3Other definitions for rag (4 of 4)
a musical composition in ragtime: a piano rag.
to play (music) in ragtime.
Origin of rag
4Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use rag in a sentence
To refresh them, spray some bike degreaser on the tape or grips and wipe everything down thoroughly with a clean sponge or rag.
At the end, they left with four bottles of cooking oil and a cleaning rag.
Food Shortages, COVID-19, and Instagram: The Driving Forces Behind the Cuba Protests | Vera Bergengruen | July 12, 2021 | TimeThe rags to riches stories that define many players’ entry to elite sport can all too frequently play out in reverse when they leave it.
Former Manchester United footballer Louis Saha is helping athletes become media entrepreneurs | Seb Joseph | June 24, 2021 | DigidayUse a rag lightly dampened with degreaser followed by a rag dampened with rubbing alcohol to strip any residue left on the surface.
My buff, for example, worked as a neck warmer, face mask, headband and rag — for wiping grease or sunscreen off my hands.
How to take an overnight trip with your two-wheeled vehicle | Melanie D.G. Kaplan | March 26, 2021 | Washington Post
Then Ziegler tosses the buff LaBeouf around like a rag doll.
Sia and Shia LaBeouf’s Pedophilia Nontroversy Over ‘Elastic Heart’ | Marlow Stern | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTPlus the notion of the poor little guy surrounded by a rag-tag pack of true believers is an American favorite.
Honey Boo Boo, Snake Oil, and Ebola: The Weird World of Young Living Essential Oils | Kent Sepkowitz | December 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe stuck the barrel of the gun out his window and started wiping it down with a rag.
A Shooting on a Tribal Land Uncovers Feds Running Wild | Caitlin Dickson | August 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn 1992, she was spotted by Sassy magazine, and became a model/intern for the fashion rag.
Chloe Sevigny on ‘The Cosmopolitans,’ New York’s Frat Boy Takeover, and ‘Asshole’ Michael Alig | Marlow Stern | August 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTYou should be so proud of yourself working for an illegitimate rag like the Daily Beast.
Dear Moon Landing Deniers: Sorry I Called You Moon Landing Deniers | Olivia Nuzzi | July 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe early pump had rag balls, in keeping with the mechanical ignorance of the time, and suitable to man's power.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickThe large size of the rag-wheel gave the rapidly revolving chain and balls a great speed.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickStrain the mixture through a linen rag several times; adding, at the last operation, two ounces of bear's grease.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleyAway off the bed, over the bright rag carpet, and past the red fire, safely and swiftly they trotted.
Seven O'Clock Stories | Robert Gordon AndersonIt is a common practice in erecting buildings with a facing of Kentish rag rubble to back up the stonework with bricks.
British Dictionary definitions for rag (1 of 4)
/ (ræɡ) /
a small piece of cloth, such as one torn from a discarded garment, or such pieces of cloth collectively
(as modifier): a rag doll; a rag book; rag paper
a fragmentary piece of any material; scrap; shred
informal a newspaper or other journal, esp one considered as worthless, sensational, etc
informal an item of clothing
informal a handkerchief
British slang esp nautical a flag or ensign
lose one's rag to lose one's temper suddenly
Origin of rag
1- See also rags
British Dictionary definitions for rag (2 of 4)
/ (ræɡ) /
to draw attention facetiously and persistently to the shortcomings or alleged shortcomings of (a person)
British to play rough practical jokes on
British a boisterous practical joke, esp one on a fellow student
(in British universities)
a period, usually a week, in which various events are organized to raise money for charity, including a procession of decorated floats and tableaux
(as modifier): rag day
Origin of rag
2British Dictionary definitions for rag (3 of 4)
/ (ræɡ) jazz /
a piece of ragtime music
(tr) to compose or perform in ragtime
Origin of rag
3British Dictionary definitions for rag (4 of 4)
/ (ræɡ) /
a roofing slate that is rough on one side
Origin of rag
4Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with rag
In addition to the idiom beginning with rag
- rag doll
also see:
- chew the fat (rag)
- from rags to riches
- glad rags
- run ragged
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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