rathole

noun

1

a

: a rat's burrow

b

: a hole gnawed by a rat

2

a

: a narrow opening, tunnel, or passageway

b

: a cramped space (as for storage or living quarters)

especially : one that is oppressive or filthy

cooped up in a rathole like this

—Jack Ward

3

: a seemingly bottomless or unfillable hole

his last pile of money … went down the rathole when he tried to save an old friend from bankruptcy

—Stanley Walker

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