rack and ruin
Complete utter destruction
Rack and ruin describes a state of complete destruction or decay, typically reached through neglect: The old estate has gone to rack and ruin.
The phrase is almost always preceded by "go to" or "fall into." Rack here is an older variant of "wrack," meaning wreckage—the same root as shipwreck.
Severe widespread destruction
- wastelandUninhabitable barren region
- barrennessInability to bear fruit
- bleaknessQuality of being dreary
- emptinessAbsence of substance
wreckage · rubble · shambles · collapse · destruction · decimation · havoc · obliteration
Poor maintained condition
- abandonmentAct of leaving permanently
- derelictionAbandonment of duty
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
- disuseCessation of practice
inattention · apathy · indifference · oversight · carelessness · heedlessness · unconcern · forgetfulness
Process of declining quality
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
erosion · corrosion · withering · moldering · putrefaction · spoilage · atrophy · entropy
State without hope
- miseryIntense prolonged distress
- lossBeing without something
- griefIntense sorrow from loss
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
anguish · forlornness · loneliness · bankruptcy · insolvency · impoverishment · destitution · penury
devastation
Severe widespread destruction
- wastelandUninhabitable barren region
- barrennessInability to bear fruit
- bleaknessQuality of being dreary
emptiness · wreckage · rubble · shambles · collapse · destruction · decimation · havoc · obliteration · downfall
disrepair
Poor maintained condition
- abandonmentAct of leaving permanently
- derelictionAbandonment of duty
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
disuse · inattention · apathy · indifference · oversight · carelessness · heedlessness · unconcern · forgetfulness · remissness
deterioration
Process of declining quality
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
crumbling · erosion · corrosion · withering · moldering · putrefaction · spoilage · atrophy · entropy · oxidation
hopelessness
State without hope
sorrow · anguish · forlornness · loneliness · bankruptcy · insolvency · impoverishment · destitution · penury · failure
rack and ruinmint condition
Perfect, unused state
well-maintained · shipshape · spick and span · preservation · well-preserved
rack and ruinprosperity
Good fortune, success
flourishing · thriving · success · good fortune · bloom
rack, ruin, racks, racked, racking, ruins, ruined, ruining, ruinous