What it means
A proper crude way to say someone’s absolutely plastered, way past tipsy and deep into slurring, swaying, making-a-show-of-themselves territory. If you’re rat-arsed, you’ve had far too much and whatever dignity you brought with you has legged it. Usually heard in British and Irish pub chat, often said with a laugh, though it can turn sharp if someone’s being a total mess.
Usage examples
"By half eight he was rat-arsed, chanting football songs outside the chippy, trying to hug the lamp post while his mates dragged him home."
"By the end of the wedding half the table was rat-arsed and trying to teach the nan to floss."
"He got rat-arsed on cheap cider at sixteen and has never touched the stuff since, smart lad."
"I was only meant to have two pints, then Dave started buying shots and I ended up absolutely rat-arsed, trying to order a kebab from the cash machine."
"She came in rat-arsed after the works do, kicked her heels off in the hallway, and started telling the dog he was her best mate."
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