rathole

[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.
Idioms
4.
down the rathole, for a worthless purpose or purposes:
seeing your inheritance disappear down the rathole.
Origin
1805-15; rat + hole
Examples from the web for rathole
  • Then send in the drillers, rathole and well, with the cementers to install a well head.
  • Western economies cannot afford to keep flushing money down a rathole.
Slang definitions & phrases for rathole

rathole

noun

A wretched, messy place; a filthy hovel; dump: Those days we lived in a rathole (1812+)

verb

To store up food and supplies; stockpile; stash (1950s+)

Related Terms

pour money down the drain