Garra means rags in Latin American spanish?

[sano23]

Garra means rags in Latin American spanish?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by sano23

Does garra means rags in Latin American Spanish?

Not really, no. Garra means talon or claw. It can also mean a fighting spirit or a compelling personality. In the plural form, it can mean clutches, as in 'to be in somebody's clutches'.

In Mexican slang (and Chilean slang, according to my dictionaries) it can mean 'old clothes' or 'rags'. This is regional usage (which is probably why you've heard it). The slang use of the word figures into the idiomatic expression hacer garras algo|a alguien (to tear something|someone to shreds). This expression would probably only be understood in Mexico. I found it in a Mexican dictionary.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

In Mexico it's a common expression for clothes, specially when they're worn out, they're inappropriate or ugly, or their quality is not good.

·Me compré unas garritas nuevas. -> I bought myself new (cheap) clothes.
·¿Vas a salir con esas garras? -> Are you going out with those awful clothes on?
·Esa camisa ya está hecha una garra. -> That shirt is so worn out.
·María vino a la fiesta con una garra de vestido, estaba horrible. -> María came to the party dressed in such an ugly dress, it was horrible.


I agree on the use of "hacer garras algo / a alguien"

[aleCcowaN]

Hecho garras = despedazado, destrozado

segun el Diccionario Breve de Mexicanismos.

[pinosilano]

Sacar las garras, sacar las uñas, para defenderse. Lo hace mi gatita cuando el juego no le gusta más. O saca las garras para afilarselas en la pata de la mejor mesa a disposición.

Originally Posted by aleCcowaN

Hecho garras = despedazado, destrozado

Como si se hubiese rajado con las uñas un león.

[Torres]

Curioso.
En español Colombiano "Darse garra" es lo mismo que "pasarse" significa que se ha hecho o dicho algo excidiendo el límite generalmente en un mal sentido o de una mala manera.