trapos
1. torn or tattered pieces of cloth
The old cleaning lady used rags to wipe the floor.
A faxineira usou trapos para limpar o chão.
2. worn-out or shabby clothes
He was dressed in rags and could barely afford food.
Ele estava vestido em trapos e mal podia pagar pela comida.
3. tabloid newspapers or sensationalist publications
The celebrity scandal was splashed across the rags.
O escândalo da celebridade estava estampado nos jornais sensacionalistas.
4. jazz or ragtime music (informal)
They played some old rags on the piano.
Eles tocaram alguns rags antigos no piano.
In American English, 'rags' often refers to poor quality tabloid newspapers (colloquially called 'the rags'). In Brazilian Portuguese, 'trapos' is the standard translation for worn cloth pieces or tattered clothing, commonly used when discussing poverty or cleaning materials. The expression 'from rags to riches' is culturally significant in both American and Brazilian contexts as a narrative of social mobility.
NYC Slang
rags - slang for clothes or outfits, especially stylish ones; different context than British/American standard meaning
Related Idioms & Phrases
from rags to riches - de trapos à riqueza (describing sudden wealth gain)
in rags - em trapos (dressed very poorly)
dressed in rags - vestido em trapos
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