in rags
Meaning
Dressed in very old, torn clothes.
Like Cinderella, the girl in rags was swept off her feet by a handsome Prince Charming.
(by extension) Very poor or lowly.
Source: en.wiktionary.orgSynonyms
Related terms
Examples
The man forget not, though in rags he lies, And know the mortal through a crown's disguise.
The City of New York is like an enormous citadel, a modern Carcassonne. Walking between the magnificent skyscrapers one feels the presence on the fringe of a howling, raging mob, a mob with empty bellies, a mob unshaven and in rags.
You neither can nor should understand what it means. Listen, it comes without guitar, Neither in rags nor in any purple fashion. And there is nothing in it to comfort you.
He whose clothes are too fine, shall go about in rags.
He who wears too fine clothes, shall go about in rags.
Lice flourish in rags.