red rag

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word red rag. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word red rag, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say red rag in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word red rag you have here. The definition of the word red rag will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofred rag, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: redrag

English

Etymology

Ellipsis of red rag to a bull.

Noun

red rag (plural red rags)

  1. (figurative) Something that will enrage another particular person.
    • 2008 September 24, Lindesay Irvine, “Collins, we're lost for words: let's call your bluff”, in guardian.co.uk‎:
      Collins dictionaries has announced that the inclusion of 2,000 new words in its forthcoming new edition means that some of the dustier corners of its lexicon will have to be swept into the semantic dustbin. Farewell embranglement, recrement, fusby and numerous others. This will be a red rag to books bloggers everywhere.
  2. (obsolete, slang, derogatory) A person's tongue.
    • 1869, William Combe, Thomas Rolandson, The Three Tours of Doctor Syntax, page 194:
      For well I know by your glib tongue, / To what fine country you belong, / And if your red rag did not shew it, / By your queer fancies I should know it.

Usage notes

Translations

See also

References

Anagrams

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia