RAN RAGGED Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "ran ragged" is an idiomatic expression that typically describes the state of something or someone being extremely exhausted, worn out, or overwhelmed due to excessive demand, usage, or activity. This phrase is often used metaphorically to convey a sense of extreme physical or mental strain beyond the capacity to cope.
In a literal sense, "ran ragged" refers to an object, such as clothing or fabric, being relentlessly used or worn to the point where it becomes tattered, frayed, or in a state of disrepair. However, when used metaphorically in contexts involving people or things, it implies a similar notion of depletion, overuse, or overexertion.
For example, a student during finals week may feel "ran ragged" after continuous studying and lack of sufficient rest. Similarly, a worker who has been assigned multiple tasks with tight deadlines might feel "ran ragged" due to the immense stress and pressure. In such instances, the term highlights the overwhelming nature of the situation, emphasizing the wear and tear on an individual's physical or mental state.
Overall, "ran ragged" serves as a descriptive phrase that vividly portrays a state of extreme exhaustion, surpassing normal limits, and suggests that something or someone has been pushed to the point of being thoroughly worn out or overwhelmed.
Common Misspellings for RAN RAGGED
- runragged
- ean ragged
- dan ragged
- fan ragged
- tan ragged
- 5an ragged
- 4an ragged
- rzn ragged
- rsn ragged
- rab ragged
- ram ragged
- raj ragged
- rah ragged
- ran eagged
- ran dagged
- ran fagged
- ran tagged
- ran 5agged
- ran 4agged
- ran rzgged
Etymology of RAN RAGGED
The phrase "ran ragged" originated from two separate expressions: "run ragged" and "ragged ran".
"Run ragged" dates back to the early 17th century, where the word "run" meant "to manage or use something" and "ragged" conveyed the idea of worn-out or tattered. It originally referred to clothes or fabrics that were overused or torn due to excessive running or wear. Over time, the expression evolved to describe a person or thing being used excessively or strenuously, causing them to become exhausted or worn out.
On the other hand, "ragged ran" emerged as a poetic inversion of the more common "ran ragged" formulation. It was used by poets in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a stylistic variation, often employed to maintain meter or rhyme in a verse.
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