run (someone) ragged

phrase

informal
: to make (someone) very tired
All this travel is running me ragged.
He was run ragged with/by all the travel.

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Run (someone) ragged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run%20%28someone%29%20ragged. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster