Rat's nest Meaning in English
expression
Definition
Literally, a physical nest where rats live. More commonly, it means a place or situation that is very messy or tangled, or a group involved in suspicious or dishonest activity.
Usage & Nuances
Primarily informal and often figurative. Typical collocations: 'his desk is a rat's nest,' 'the wiring is a real rat's nest.' Can refer to messy physical spaces or to complicated, dishonest organizations. Rarely used literally.
Example Sentences
His room looks like a rat's nest.
basic
The wires behind the TV are a real rat's nest.
basic
We found a rat's nest in the old shed.
basic
My hair turned into a rat's nest after I slept on it wet.
natural
This company turned out to be a financial rat's nest.
natural
"Don't go in there," she joked, "that office is a total rat's nest right now!"
natural