rat-hole

R r

Definitions of rat-hole word

noun rat-hole a hole made by a rat, as into a room, barn, etc.: The first chore in the old building is to plug up the ratholes. 1
noun rat-hole the burrow or shelter of a rat. 1
noun rat-hole any small and uncomfortable room, office, apartment, etc., especially one that is dirty or disordered: He lives in a rathole near the docks. 1
idioms rat-hole down the rathole, for a worthless purpose or purposes: seeing your inheritance disappear down the rathole. 1

before 1805

One of the 41% newest English words

First recorded in 1805-15; rat + hole

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 70% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.