PhrasesHub

Rack and ruin

    Definitions

      • to fall into a state of decay or disrepair
        Describing a situation or place that has deteriorated or is in a state of ruin

      • to cause destruction or devastation
        Referring to the act of causing harm or damage, often as a result of neglect or carelessness

    Examples of Rack and ruin

    • The storm had racked and ruined the old oak tree, leaving it splintered and broken beyond repair.

      The idiom "rack and ruin" is used in this instance to describe the destructive force of the storm, which has left the oak tree in a state of complete disrepair. The term "rack" refers to the twisting and bending of the tree's limbs under the force of the wind, while "ruin" describes the complete destruction of the tree's structure and stability. Together, these words convey a powerful image of the storm's devastating impact on the tree.

    • The house had racked and ruined her savings, as months of unpaid bills piled up and she struggled to keep up with the mortgage payments.

      In this example, "racked and ruined" is used to convey the financial toll that the house has taken on the speaker. The term "racked" refers to the burden of debt and financial strain that she has been carrying, while "ruined" describes the complete destruction of her savings and the loss of her financial stability. The idiom serves to underscore the severe financial hardship that she is experiencing as a result of owning the house.

    • The company's scandalous behavior had racked and ruined its reputation, as customers fled in droves and investors jumped ship.

      Here, "racked and ruined" is used to describe the damage that the company's scandalous behavior has inflicted on its reputation. The term "racked" conveys the way in which the company has been stretched and strained by the revelation of its misdeeds, while "ruined" describes the total destruction of its public image and the loss of trust and confidence that it has suffered. The use of this idiom emphasizes the far-reaching and profound impact that the company's actions have had on its relationships with customers, investors, and the broader community.

    • After years of neglect and mistreatment, the car had been racked and ruined beyond recognition, its once-shiny engine reduced to a heap of rust and twisted metal.

      Finally, "racked and ruined" is used to describe the state of the neglected car, which has been left to decay and deteriorate over time. The term "racked" refers to the physical deformity and distortion of the car's structure, while "ruined" conveys the sense that the car has been completely destroyed and rendered unusable. Together, these words create a vivid and powerful image of the car's sorry state and the devastating impact of neglect and mistreatment over time.

    • After the flood, the town was left in rack and ruin.

      This phrase is used to describe a place that has been completely destroyed or left in a state of disrepair. It comes from the medieval term "rakk" which meant a rack or a frame used to torture people, and "ruin" which means destruction or decay. When used together, they convey the idea that a place has been reduced to a state of complete ruin and disarray. Here, the flood has caused extensive damage to the town, leaving it in a state of rack and ruin.

    • The old factory has fallen into rack and ruin over the years.

      The factory, once a bustling industrial hub, has been abandoned and left to decay over time. This phrase is used to describe a place that has been neglected and left to fall into a state of disrepair. It conveys the idea that the factory is now in a state of complete ruin, with its equipment and machinery left to rust and decay.

    • The war left the city in rack and ruin.

      The devastating effects of the war left the city completely destroyed and in disarray. This phrase is used to describe a place that has been completely destroyed or left in a state of disrepair as a result of a destructive event, such as a war or a natural disaster.

    • The hurricane left our house in rack and ruin.

      The powerful storm caused extensive damage to our house, leaving it in a state of complete ruin and disarray. This phrase is used to describe a place that has been completely destroyed or left in a state of disrepair as a result of a natural disaster. It conveys the idea that the house has been left in a state of complete wreckage, with its structure weakened and its belongings strewn about.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "rack and ruin" is used to describe a state of decay or destruction. It can be used to convey the idea of something falling into disrepair or being neglected, leading to a state of ruin. It can also be used to describe the act of causing destruction or devastation through neglect or carelessness.

    Overall, the idiom is commonly used to emphasize the negative consequences of neglect or decay, highlighting the importance of taking care of things to prevent them from falling into rack and ruin.

    Origin of "Rack and ruin"

    The origins of the idiom "rack and ruin" can be traced back to the 16th century, where "rack" referred to the act of stretching or tearing something apart, and "ruin" referred to the state of being destroyed or falling into decay. The combination of these two words came to symbolize the idea of destruction and decay, leading to the modern usage of the idiom to describe a state of disrepair or devastation.

    The phrase "rack and ruin" was commonly used in literature and poetry to convey the idea of destruction and decay, and it has since become a well-known idiom in the English language. Its origins in describing physical destruction and decay have evolved to also encompass the metaphorical decay of neglect or carelessness. Overall, the idiom has a rich history and continues to be used to convey the idea of ruin and destruction.