rat hole
Cramped, filthy quarters
A rat hole is literally a hole made or used by rats.
Figuratively, it describes any cramped, dirty, or squalid dwelling: I can't believe you're paying rent for this rat hole.
In business or project management, a rat hole is a topic that consumes time unproductively—teams are warned not to go down a rat hole during meetings.
To rat-hole money or supplies is to stash them away, often secretly.
Use up carelessly
- money pitEndlessly expensive undertaking
- sinkholeUnderground collapse crater
- drainChannel for wastewater
- futilityLack of purpose
misallocation · wasteful · fritter · bottomless · funnel · leak · hemorrhage · disappear
Enclosed underground route
- denPrivate room or lair
- nestAnimal-built shelter for young
- warrenInterconnected underground tunnels
- lairAnimal's hidden dwelling
excavation · chamber · dugout · underground · digging · rodent · gnawing · entrance
Hidden reserve
- hideoutSecret place of refuge
- cacheConcealed storage spot
- secretConcealed information
- concealmentAct of hiding something
tucked away · hidden · obscure · disappear · vanish · squirrel away · hoard · contraband
squander
Use up carelessly
- money pitEndlessly expensive undertaking
- sinkholeUnderground collapse crater
- drainChannel for wastewater
futility · misallocation · wasteful · fritter · bottomless · funnel · leak · hemorrhage · disappear · resources
tunnel
Enclosed underground route
lair · excavation · chamber · dugout · underground · digging · rodent · gnawing · entrance · cavity
stash
Hidden reserve
concealment · tucked away · hidden · obscure · disappear · vanish · squirrel away · hoard · contraband · smuggle
dilapidated
Ruined through neglect
hovel · slum · rundown · decrepit · shabby · filthy · dump · fleabag · flophouse · tenement
sewer
Underground drainage pipe
conduit · manhole · storm drain · grate · outflow · drainage · urban · waste pipe · runoff · plumbing
- burrowsburrow, rabbit warren, tunnel, warren, fox den
- Rats
- oilfield equipmentdrilling rig, oil rig, offshore rig, derrick, rotary drill
rat holeopen space
Unobstructed outdoor area
great hall · ballroom · cathedral · cavern · atrium
rat holegold mine
Excavation for precious ore
cash cow · nest egg · sure thing · income property · smart money