How to Pronounce "rat's nest"
expression
ˈɹæts/ /ˈnɛst
RATS-nest
ræts/ /nˈɛst
RATS-nest
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.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈɹæts/ /ˈnɛst
British English
ræts/ /nˈɛst
Simplified Pronunciation
US
RATS-nest
UK
RATS-nest
Listen in Context
His room looks like a rat's nest.
The wires behind the TV are a real rat's nest.
We found a rat's nest in the old shed.
My hair turned into a rat's nest after I slept on it wet.