Rathole Meaning in English
word
ˈreɪtˌhoʊl
RAYT-hohl
ˈreɪthəʊl
RAYTH-ohl
Definition
A small hole made by a rat; also used to describe a dirty, cramped, or unpleasant place where people live or work.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and mildly negative. Used literally for animal holes, but more often figuratively for shabby or unpleasant places, especially small apartments or offices. Not a compliment—avoid calling someone's home a "rathole" unless being critical.
Spanish: agujero de rata - lugar miserablePortuguese (BR): buraco de rato - lugar miserávelPortuguese (PT): buraco de rato - sítio miserávelChinese (Simplified): 鼠洞 - 肮脏狭小的地方Chinese (Traditional): 鼠洞 - 骯髒狹小的地方Hindi: चूहे का बिल - गंदा जगहArabic: جحر فأر - مكان قذر وصغيرBengali: ইঁদুরের গর্ত - নোংরা ছোট কক্ষRussian: крысина́я нора́ - труще́баJapanese: ネズミの穴 - ボロい部屋Vietnamese: hang chuột - nơi tồi tàn chật chộiKorean: 쥐구멍 - 허름한 곳Turkish: fare deliği - pis yerUrdu: چوہے کا سوراخ - گندا کمرہIndonesian: lubang tikus - tempat kumuh
Example Sentences
A rat made a rathole in the corner of the room.
basic
They live in a rathole without windows.
basic
The workers complained about the rathole conditions in the factory.
basic
I can't believe you pay rent for that rathole downtown.
natural
After a week in that tiny rathole, I really appreciated my own home.
natural
This office is a total rathole—I can't wait to move.
natural