rack and ruin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"It's sad that such a building has been left to go to rack and ruin."

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

“It is going to cause rack and ruin for so many people,” she said.

From Reuters • May 16, 2022

“The cup is dashed from his lips / The flame is snuffed aborning / He’s brought to rack and ruin in his prime,” he sings with quiet defeat after the collapse of his career.

From The Guardian • Sep. 15, 2015

The Olympic Park is a fantastic place, but it can’t be left to rack and ruin.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2013

Are you on the brink of rack and ruin, or wrack and ruin?

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner