R

To be in a great hurry to finish a given project by a specified deadline.

/The workers were racing against time to finish the campus modernization project./

To be so far behind in one's work that one must exert an effort similar to that needed to win a race in order simply not to fall even further behind.

* /"Could you review this book for us, Professor Brown?" the editor ...

Complete decay; condition of decline.

/The entire house had been so neglected that it had gone to rack and ruin./

To try your best to think; make a great mental effort; especially: to try to remember something you have known.

/Bob racked his brain trying to remember where he left the book./

* /Susan racked her brain trying to guess ...

Someone whose hobby is the operating of shortwave radio.

/The code letters C.Q. are used by radio hams to invite other radio hams to join in the conversation./

See:

[CHEW THE FAT] or [CHEW THE RAG],

[GLAD RAGS].

A doll made of cloth and filled with soft stuffing.

/My baby brother won't go to bed without his rag doll./