run ragged

Related to run ragged: come in handy, in droves, worse for wear, so much for, take account of

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.
See also: ragged, run

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.
See also: ragged, run
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

run someone ragged

Fig. to keep someone or something very busy. This busy season is running us all ragged at the store. What a busy day. I ran myself ragged.
See also: ragged, run
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be run ragged
  • run (oneself or someone) ragged
  • run one ragged
  • run somebody ragged
  • run someone ragged
  • talk (oneself) ragged
  • talk ragged
  • talk someone ragged
  • talk (one) ragged
  • do the donkey work
References in periodicals archive
Our parishes are so far-flung, the man was run ragged, so I became a deacon so I could take the reserved sacrament and the congregation could take the sacrament.
The first side to recover from a two-goal deficit to win a World Cup knockout match since Germany beat England 3-2 after extra time in Mexico in 1970, Belgium were run ragged by a Japan side solid in defence and willing to probe deep.
The midfield struggled to get a grip and they offered next to nothing going forward and while the defence held firm they were run ragged and dragged out of shape.
RUN RAGGED Troops carry the 'injured', top, and, above, patrolling the training area
No wonder I look tired all the time - that woman has me run ragged. I go to work for a break."
It is being presented at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff this weekend in association with Theatr Iolo and Run Ragged.
Surely it can't be the cluttered space, their mismatched decor, the crazy gurines in the guests' living room, or the fact that Gill is run ragged by the demands of work and family life?
No wonder I look tired all the time - that woman has me run ragged. I go to work for a break" TV's Eamonn Holmes on his wife and fellow presenter Ruth Langsford (both pictured above) "Greece has been brought to ruin by excessive government spending.
Quins were run ragged early on and the deadlock was broken when scrum half Rhys Downes scored a fine try after 16 minutes, converted by Iain Smerdon.
The day didn't start too well, but once Blaydon had recovered from a shaky 11-2 it was one-way traffic as the depleted Cestrians were run ragged. Allan Worthy (34) and Cole McConchie (57) began the repair job with a third-wicket stand of 102 and then Graeme Bridge (66no from 75 balls) helped enable the home team to declare on 253-5 after 60 overs.
After an appalling first period in which Fulham deservedly went behind, Danny Murphy and Bobby Zamora netted penalties either side of a Dempsey brace as the Magpies were run ragged.
The rulers of racing have been run ragged by the bookies' lobby for years and things ain't gonna change now.
The Methil side were run ragged by a rampant Spiders but four goals in a 15-minute second half spell saw them leap to third in the table.
And the one-time Everton skipper, Wales's most accomplished defender of the past 30 years, added: "He was run ragged at times in the first half in Russia.
Among those who say they were "run ragged" by rowdy youths were staff and residents of the Kenilworth Manor Nursing Home - which backs on to the fields where the festival was held.