run ragged

run someone ragged

Fig. to keep someone or something very busy. This busy season is running us all ragged at the store. What a busy day. I ran myself ragged.

See also: ragged, run

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run somebody ragged

to make someone very tired, usually by making them work too hard What with party preparations and having to look after the kids all this week, I've been run ragged.

See also: ragged, run

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run somebody ragged

to make someone work very hard When Kayo first started working here, everyone ran her ragged.

Usage notes: also used in the form run yourself ragged: When Charlie finished law school, he didn't have to run himself ragged to find a job.

See also: ragged, run