Run Ragged

B2 16+

Pronunciation: /rʌn ˈræɡɪd/

Definitions of run ragged

verb to exhaust or wear out through excessive activity or work

Example Sentences

A1 I am run ragged trying to keep up with my energetic toddler.

A2 The students were run ragged after a long day of field trips.

B1 The restaurant staff were run ragged during the lunch rush.

B2 The athletes were run ragged during their intense training camp.

C1 The event planner was run ragged trying to coordinate all the logistics of the conference.

C2 The CEO was run ragged by the demands of running a multinational corporation.

adjective extremely tired or worn out

Example Sentences

A1 After running ragged all day, she finally sat down to rest.

A2 The children were run ragged after playing outside for hours.

B1 The employees were run ragged by the demanding workload.

B2 The athletes were run ragged during the intense training camp.

C1 The production team was run ragged trying to meet the tight deadline.

C2 The campaign manager was run ragged coordinating all the events leading up to the election.

Examples of run ragged in a Sentence

formal The employees were run ragged trying to meet the deadline for the project.

informal I've been run ragged with all the errands I have to run today.

slang She was run ragged after pulling an all-nighter studying for exams.

figurative The constant demands of her job have run her ragged both mentally and physically.

Grammatical Forms of run ragged

past tense

ran ragged

plural

run ragged

comparative

more run ragged

superlative

most run ragged

present tense

run ragged

future tense

will run ragged

perfect tense

have run ragged

continuous tense

running ragged

singular

runs ragged

positive degree

run ragged

infinitive

to run ragged

gerund

running ragged

participle

run ragged

Origin and Evolution of run ragged

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The origin of the phrase 'run ragged' can be traced back to the early use of the word 'ragged' to describe something torn or tattered.
Evolution of the word: Initially used to describe physical exhaustion or weariness, the phrase 'run ragged' has evolved to also convey a sense of being overworked or overwhelmed in a figurative sense.