Report of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan upon the organization of the Army of the Potomac and its campaigns in Virginia and Maryland

[ramble on about]{v. phr.} To chatter on idly and without a purpose. /When Ted has too much to drink, he always rambles on about the good old days./ [ram down ones throat] See: SHOVE DOWN ONES THROAT. [random] See: AT RANDOM. [rank] See: CLOSE RANKS, PULL RANK. [rank and file]{n. phr.} Ordinary people; the regular membership of an organization; the enlisted privates in the Army. /The general usually inspects the rank and file on specific national holidays./ /The secretary of the association sends letters annually to the rank and file./ [rap] See: TAKE THE RAP. [rap ones knuckles]{v. phr.} To scold or punish. /The principal rapped our knuckles for cheating on the test./ /If you talk back to Dad, youll get your knuckles rapped./ /The club got its knuckles rapped by the principal for hazing new members./ /Why rap my knuckles? It wasnt my fault./ Compare: DRESSING DOWN, GIVE IT TO(2). [rat] See: SMELL A RAT. [rate] See: AT ANY RATE, FIRST RATE. [rather] See: HAD RATHER. [rat on] See: BLOW THE WHISTLE, RAT OUT. [rat ...»