idiom / phrasal verb · informal
run someone ragged
/rʌn ˈsʌmwʌn ˈræɡɪd/run some·ONE RAG·ged
speakingtask2
to make someone very tired by making them do a lot of things or run around a lot
Examples
“Between work and the children, my wife runs me ragged most weeks.”
“The party preparations ran her ragged for days.”
“I don't mind helping, but don't run me ragged.”
Band 8 sentence
“Organising that conference single‑handed ran me ragged for weeks, but it was worth it in the end.”
Collocations
- run someone ragged with chores / run someone ragged all week
Word family
run someone ragged / ran someone ragged / running someone ragged verb phrase
Common mistakes
She runs me tired.→She runs me ragged.
I am run ragged by my boss.→I am run ragged by my boss.
Say it for a higher band
5make someone tired→6wear someone out→7+run someone ragged
Synonyms
exhaust
wear someone out
Easily confused
wear someone out
“The long hike really wore me out.”
Related words
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In run …
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