Part brass rags

Meaning

The idiom "part brass rags" refers to someone who is very poor or has low social status. It's a figurative way of saying that the person has nothing left to offer and is almost destitute.

Usage

• He grew up in poverty, living in part brass rags on the streets.
• She used to be a wealthy woman, but after her husband died, she was reduced to part brass rags.
• The homeless man was shivering under a bridge, with only part brass rags for warmth.
• They couldn't afford anything fancy, and had to settle for the cheapest options, living in part brass rags.
• He faced discrimination and humiliation at work, feeling like he was nothing more than part brass rags in their eyes.

Roots and History

The exact origin of the idiom "part brass rags" is unclear, but it's likely that it dates back to medieval times when people would use brass rags as an alternative to cloth. During this time, many people lived in poverty and had limited access to clothing, so living in part brass rags would have been a humiliating experience. Over time, the phrase became associated with someone who was very poor or had low social status. It's possible that the idea of living in brass rags became a metaphor for living in poverty or being destitute.

Synonyms in English

• Paupers
• Beggars
• Homeless
• Indigent
• Penurious

Synonyms in other languages

• French: Les pauvres (the poor)
• German: Die Arme (the poor)
• Spanish: Los pobres (the poor)
• Italian: I poveri (the poor)
• Arabic: المحبين (the destitute)

Similar Idioms

• pull the plug

• pipe dream

• puppy love