rattle (redirected from rattled around)

rattle something off and reel something off

to recite something quickly and accurately. She can really reel song lyrics off. Listen to Mary rattle off those numbers.

rattle around in something 

1. Lit. to make a rattling noise inside something. What is rattling around in this package? There is something rattling around in my glove compartment.

2. Fig. to ride about in a vehicle with a rattle. I am perfectly happy to rattle around in my ten-year-old car. Todd rattles around in his grandfather's old car.

3. Fig. to live in a place that is much too big. We have been rattling around in this big old house for long enough. Let's move to a smaller place. I can't afford to rattle around in a three-story house any longer.

See also: around

rattle away

to chatter endlessly and aimlessly. The two old men sat there and rattled away at one another. Tom rattled away at Jane for a few minutes and then left the house.

See also: away

rattle on (about someone or something)

Fig. to talk endlessly about someone or something. Martin talked incessantly. He would rattle on about any topic whenever he could trap an unfortunate listener.

rattle one's saber and rattle its saber

Fig. to make threatening statements or actions. The president is just rattling his saber. He would never attack such a small country!

See also: saber

slightly rattled 

1. Inf. upset; confused. Tom was slightly rattled by the policeman at the door. I'm slightly rattled. I'll get over it.

2. Inf. tipsy; intoxicated. He's only slightly rattled. He'll recover by morning. she can be really drunk and still seem only slightly rattled.

See also: slightly

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rattle somebody's cage

to make someone angry on purpose, often in order to make them seem silly She tried to rattle his cage with questions about his failed army career.

See also: cage

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rattle somebody's cage

to make someone angry on purpose I rattled his cage by telling him I hated his art.

Etymology: based on the idea of rattling (making a noise by repeatedly hitting) the cage to annoy the animal inside it

See also: cage

rattle off something also rattle something off

to say something quickly She rattled something off in French that I didn't understand.

Usage notes: often used when someone gives a list of facts or other related information from memory: Walter could rattle off the statistics of players from the 1920s and ’30s.

Related vocabulary: reel off something