Learn American Slang

R
rack up: 1. to accumulate over time; 2. to win or lose something again.
1. It's easy to rack up a lot of personal debt when you use credit cards.
2. The team racked up their fifth loss of the season with last night's defeat.

rag: to complain; to say negative things.
My girlfriend keeps ragging about her roommate. She should just find another place to live.

rap: a style of modern music rooted in African American culture, now prevalent around the world.
Juan's father hates the sound of rap. He prefers more traditional music.

rapper: a performer of rap music. (also, rap star)
Biggie Smalls is a rapper whose life is portrayed in Notorious, a recently relased film biography of his life.

rat race: competition in the world of work; competition in business.
Since joining the rat race, Tony has aged very quickly from all the stress he experiences at work.

raunchy: usually entertainment that is a little dirty, a little vulgar.
Madonna is a talented performer, but some of her videos are a little too raunchy for the tastes of some people.

raw: unpracticed; without covering.
This band has a great, raw sound, but they need to practice a little more before they perform in public.

raw deal: a bad situtation; unfairness.
African Americans got a raw deal when they were brought to the United States from Africa as slaves.