the pits

Idioms  

1. The worst possible situation, as in Spending your birthday working alone is the pits, or That job is the pits. The allusion in this term is unclear. Some think it refers to coal pits, others to armpits, and still others to the area beside an auto racecourse, also called the pits, where cars are serviced during a race. [Second half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

the pits

While they're at it, it would also be worth looking at the location and layout of the pits and paddock.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Voters who thought they were getting change when they elected him in 2025 are disappointed, leaving his approval rating in the pits.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

He was able to get back to the pits but the resulting damage ended his race.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Prepare the peaches: Peel the peaches, if desired, then remove the pits and roughly chop the fruit.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

“Even if the pits must open, must Your Grace go yourself?” asked Missandei as she was washing the queen’s hair.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

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