brass rags
Definition
Noun (plural):
1. Sailor's cleaning cloths: "brass rags" refers to cloths used by sailors to polish brass fittings on a ship.
2. Slang term for a close friendship: In nautical slang, "brass rags" can metaphorically refer to the close bond between sailors who share the task of polishing brass together.
Usage Examples
- (Cloths for polishing brass fittings on a ship.)
- (A metaphor for a close working relationship among sailors.)
- (They ended their close friendship or partnership.)
Advanced Usage
- "to part brass rags with someone": an idiom meaning to end a friendship or association, especially after a disagreement.
- He parted brass rags with his old shipmate over a trivial matter. (He ended the friendship.)
Variants and Related Words
- Part brass rags (verb phrase): to separate from a friend or colleague, often used in a nautical or informal context.
- The two captains parted brass rags after the voyage. (They ended their working relationship.)
Synonyms
- Cleaning cloths: rags, dusters, polishing cloths.
- Close friendship: camaraderie, bond, fellowship (when used metaphorically).
Related Idioms
- Part company: to separate or end a relationship.
- They parted company after the argument. (Similar to parting brass rags.)
Notes on Usage
- "Brass rags" is primarily a historical or slang term from 19th-century nautical language. It is rarely used in modern English outside of idiomatic expressions like "part brass rags."