rag (redirected from ragging)

be like a red rag to a bull

if a statement or an action is like a red rag to a bull, it makes someone very angry. For Claire, the suggestion of a women-only committee was like a red rag to a bull.

See also: bull, like, red

chew the fat (British, informal, American, informal)

to have a long friendly conversation with someone. We spent the evening watching the TV and chewing the fat.

See also: chew, fat

your glad rags (old-fashioned)

the clothes that you wear when you are going somewhere special. Put your glad rags on, we're going to a party.

See also: glad

go from rags to riches

to start your life very poor and then later in life become very rich. People who go from rags to riches are often afraid the good life will be snatched away from them.

See also: from, riches

lose your rag (British & Australian, informal)

to suddenly become very angry and start shouting. He said one too many stupid things and I just lost my rag. It was the only time I've ever lost my rag with someone in an office situation.

See also: lose

rags-to-riches

go from rags to riches - to start your life very poor and then later in life become very rich. Raised in poverty by an uncle in Oklahoma, his was a real rags-to-riches story. (always before noun)