PhrasesHub

Skid row

    Definitions

      • a run-down, impoverished area
        Referring to a place or neighborhood that is known for its poverty, homelessness, and dilapidated conditions

      • decline or deterioration
        Describing a situation or state of affairs that is rapidly worsening or deteriorating

    Examples of Skid row

    • The once bustling neighborhood turned into a skid row after the local factories closed down and people lost their jobs.

      "Skid row" is an idiom that originated in the late 1800s in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is used to describe a district or area in a large city that has become run-down and depressed, often as a result of social and economic issues such as poverty, unemployment, and homelessness. In this example, the idiom is used to convey the idea that the neighborhood in question, which was once thriving and prosperous, has now become a despairing and destitute place as a consequence of the factory closures and job losses that have occurred.

    • The police raided the skid row looking for a notorious criminal who was known to frequent the seedy bars and flophouses in the area.

      In this example, the idiom is being used more literally, to describe a specific location, namely the area that has fallen into disrepair and disfavor. The fact that the police are searching for a criminal in this location implies that the area is associated with crime and vice, further emphasizing its disreputable reputation as depicted by the "skid row" idiom.

    • Despite its dubious reputation, skid row was once a vibrant and colorful part of the city's cultural heritage, with its own unique set of quirks and characters.

      This example highlights an important fact about the "skid row" idiom: though it is commonly associated with poverty, destitution, and crime, it is often steeped in history and culture as well. The use of the term "vibrant" and "colorful" in this context helps to illustrate that skid row is not inherently negative, but rather a complex and multifaceted environment that is worthy of both understanding and respect.

    • The city council proposed a plan to revitalize skid row by investing in infrastructure, small businesses, and affordable housing initiatives.

      In this example, the idiom "skid row" is used to signify a more general issue, specifically the need to revitalize and restore areas that have fallen into disrepair and disfavor. By proposing a plan to rejuvenate skid row, the city council is acknowledging that such areas are not necessarily hopeless or irreversible, but rather require thoughtful and deliberate action to transform them into more vibrant and prosperous neighborhoods.

    • The man used to be a successful business owner, but after a series of poor decisions and misfortunes, he found himself living on Skid row, the seedy and impoverished part of town.

      "Skid row" is an idiom that originally referred to a row of buildings with a slope or skidway used for moving logs in the lumber industry. In modern usage, it refers to a run-down and impoverished neighborhood often associated with homelessness, poverty, and crime. In this example, the man's fall from grace has led him to become a resident of Skid row, a dismal and unfavorable part of town.

    • The city has been struggling with high crime rates, and in an attempt to combat the issue, they've allocated more resources towards cleaning up the Skid row area, which has become a breeding ground for criminal activity.

      In this example, the phrase "breeding ground" is used to emphasize the extent of criminal activity in Skid row. This expression implies that the area is a place where criminal behavior is encouraged, sustained, and intensified due to specific environmental or social factors.

    • Despite the city's efforts, the Skid row area remains a challenging problem to address due to its long-standing history of poverty, mental illness, and addiction.

      In this example, "despite" is used to contrast the efforts made by the city to address the issue with the persistent and complicated nature of the Skid row problem. The phrase "long-standing history" indicates that the issues of poverty, mental illness, and addiction have been deeply rooted in Skid row for a considerable amount of time.

    • The mayor promised to revitalize Skid row and turn it into a thriving commercial and residential district, but critics argue that such plans will only gentrify the area and displace the current residents, making the issue of homelessness worse.

      "Gentrify" is used to describe the process of renovating and improving a deteriorated urban neighborhood, which typically results in higher property values, an influx of middle-class residents, and increased rents and property taxes. However, such developments can lead to forced evictions of longtime residents, often causing displacement, poverty, and homelessness. In this example, the criticism of the mayor's plan highlights the potential negative consequences of gentrification, particularly in Skid row, where the issues of homelessness and poverty are already significant.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "skid row" can be used in two different contexts. It can refer to a specific geographical location that is known for its poverty and destitution, or it can describe a general state of decline and deterioration. In both cases, the idiom conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair.

    Origin of "Skid row"

    The origin of the idiom "skid row" can be traced back to the logging industry in the United States during the 19th century. "Skid roads" were used to transport logs from the cutting site to the water, where they would be floated downstream to the sawmill. These roads were often lined with bars, gambling houses, and cheap hotels, catering to the loggers and other transient workers. Over time, the term "skid row" became synonymous with the impoverished and run-down areas that developed around these skid roads.

    The idiom gained widespread use during the Great Depression to describe the neighborhoods and districts that were hit the hardest by economic hardship. Today, "skid row" is used to describe any area or situation characterized by extreme poverty and destitution.