rathole

American  

[rat-hohl] / ˈrætˌhoʊl /

noun

1. 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.

2. the burrow or shelter of a rat.

3. any small and uncomfortable room, office, apartment, etc., especially one that is dirty or disordered.

   He lives in a rathole near the docks.

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idioms

1. down the rathole, for a worthless purpose or purposes.

   seeing your inheritance disappear down the rathole.

Etymology

Origin of rathole

First recorded in 1805–15; rat + hole

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rathole

The states would be motivated to determine the legitimacy of the payments before the money disappears down the fraud rathole.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026

Leah asked me if I knew what the cost is of a rathole studio.

From Slate ● Jun. 3, 2022

The house was a real—I won't curse on the podcast, but, you know, a rathole, let's say.

From The New Yorker ● Sep. 19, 2018

Red, white, and blue would be a good next step considering the tax dollars down that rathole.

From New York Times ● Dec. 22, 2014

“Where have you led us, dwarf? My horse does not leave my side. Climb into this rathole, the rest of you. I shall guard Islimach myself.”

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander

Related Words

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