a ragged colt may make a good horse
Someone's or something's current behavior, condition, or situation, especially that which is bad, does not dictate their future outcome. I wouldn't worry too much about your son's interest in partying—a ragged colt may make a good horse, after all. The rough cut of the film left us a bit worried, but the editor assured us that a ragged colt may make a good horse. I know they say that a ragged colt may make a good horse, but I just don't see how this project will come together in the end.
be on the ragged edge
To be close to encountering or experiencing something (such as an outcome or emotional state). Primarily heard in US. After taking exams all week, I am on the ragged edge of exhaustion. The board has been on the ragged edge of discord ever since learning about the chairman's scandalous conduct. I was on the ragged edge of tears after getting yelled at by my teacher.
be run ragged
To be utterly exhausted from long, tedious work or having too many things to do. I've been run ragged trying to clean and organize the house before your mom comes to visit. I love this work—you're run ragged at the end of the day, but you feel like you've done something truly productive. If you become Joe's personal assistant, expect to be run ragged—he can be very demanding.
bullyrag
To bother or badger someone. Would you quit bullyragging me? I didn't do anything wrong, I swear! I doubt you'll get that secret out of Bill even if you bullyrag him. The kids have been bullyragging me with constant demands for a new puppy.
rag
1. noun, slang A newspaper, especially one focusing on tawdry, scandalous, or sensationalized stories. I don't know how you read this rag. Everything in here is pure drivel. His face was plastered on every rag in every supermarket across the country. Suddenly, everyone had an opinion about what had happened in his marriage.
2. noun, vulgar slang A sanitary napkin used during a girl's or woman's menstrual cycle. Used especially in the phrase "on the rag"; often considered offensive. A: "Sorry about the way my girlfriend was acting, I think she's on the rag." B: "Dude, that is a pretty ignorant thing to say. Plus, you were being a total jerk, so I don't blame her for getting upset." I think I need to see my gynecologist. I've been having to change my rag every hour or so, which is way more than normal for me.
3. verb, slang To scold, criticize, or berate (someone). You shouldn't rag Tom so much. You know he means well.
4. verb, slang To tease or taunt (someone). Oh, lighten up. I'm only ragging you!
rag about (someone or something)
1. slang To complain or gripe very intensely or incessantly about someone or something. We've been ragging about this issue for so long that it's a huge relief to find out they're actually going to fix it! Instead of just ragging about your annoying coworker, why don't you actually try to resolve the issue with them?
2. slang To tease, mock, or annoy someone about some issue or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rag" and "out." My friends are always ragging me about my pink backpack, but I quite like it. OK, Tom, stop ragging Sally about her new boyfriend. You've embarrassed her enough already.
rag off
To remove small amounts of paint or glaze from a surface, especially a wall, by dabbing it with a cloth or rag. Ragging off the wall before it dries is a great way to give it a more varied texture and appearance.
rag on (one)
1. To nag, criticize, or berate one, especially at length. I wish you'd quit ragging on me—I told you I was sorry! The boss started ragging on Thomas in front of the whole office for messing up the Robertson accounts.
2. To tease or mock one. My friends are always ragging on me for wearing a backpack that has My Little Pony on it. We rag on each other constantly, but it's all in good fun.
rag out
1. slang To get dressed up in formal or fancy clothes. Often used in passive constructions. It's a pretty informal ceremony—you don't have to rag out or anything. I love getting ragged out for special occasions.
2. slang To scold, reprimand, or berate someone, especially with undue intensity or aggression. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rag" and "out." It's a pretty informal ceremony—you don't have to rag out or anything. I love getting ragged out for special occasions.
rag the puck
1. In ice hockey, to attempt to run out the remaining time in a game by maintaining possession of the puck for as long possible. The team is notorious for ragging the puck whenever they take the lead.
2. By extension, to stall, postpone, or otherwise cause a delay by deliberately engaging in time-wasting activities. Primarily heard in Canada. Activist groups are claiming that the government has ragged the puck in relation to legislation that would better protect the environment. Quit ragging the puck, John, and make a decision already!
run (oneself or someone) ragged
To exhaust oneself or someone else through hard work or effort. I've been running myself ragged trying to clean and organize the house before your mom comes to visit. If you become Joe's personal assistant, don't be surprised if he runs you ragged—he can be very demanding.
talk (one) ragged
To talk so much that one becomes bored and exhausted from listening. I went on a date with a girl last night, but she talked me ragged during dinner and I ended up leaving early. You need to keep your presentations varied and interesting. You can't just talk your audience ragged for an hour.
talk (oneself) ragged
To talk until one becomes exhausted or has nothing left to say. I had been talking myself ragged about the issue for nearly an hour. My sister was really distraught about her breakup, so I just gave her a sympathetic ear while she talked herself ragged.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.