oily rag
The term "oily rag" has various meanings in different contexts, from describing a menial worker to being used in idiomatic expressions and Cockney rhyming slang.
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Definition
C2Factory or Workshop
(derogatory, slang)A person who performs low-skilled, manual tasks, often related to cleaning or maintenance.
Example
- He started his career as an oily rag before moving up to a more skilled position.
C1Cockney Rhyming Slang
(informal, regional)A term used to refer to a cigarette.
Example
- Can you lend me an oily rag? I left my pack at home.
C1Australian and New Zealand Idiom
(idiom, regional)Refers to a very small amount or the bare minimum, often used in the phrase 'run on the smell of an oily rag' to mean operating with minimal resources.
Example
- Their budget is so tight they have to run the entire project on the smell of an oily rag.
B2General
(technical)A piece of cloth soaked or stained with oil, typically used for cleaning or lubricating machinery.
Example
- He wiped the engine parts with an oily rag to remove the grease.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "oily rag":
oil spotrubbing oiltoe ragin ragsolive oilyrags and tattersgreasy kid's stuff