rue

go to rack and ruin

cliché To fall into severe or total decay, degradation, or ruination, as from disuse or lack of upkeep. ("Rack" here is a variant spelling of "wrack," a now-archaic word meaning wreckage or destruction.) It greatly pains me that my grandfather's estate has been left to go to rack and ruin. If only we'd been able to afford for someone to look after it for all these years. The neighbor's property has really gone to rack and ruin lately. I'm thinking about filing a complaint with the neighborhood association!
See also: and, go, rack, ruin

rue the day (that something happened)

To curse or bitterly regret a point in time (in which something happened or one did something). I swear to you now, you will rue the day you ever crossed me! Men, if their soldiers advance upon us, we must ensure that they will rue the day!
See also: rue, something

rue the day (that) (something) happened

To feel bitter regret or remorse that something has happened; to wish that something never came to pass. That no-good, lying cheat! I'll make sure he rues the day he crossed me, if it's the last thing I do! Your dad must be ruing the day he agreed to buy you a car if you got an A in all your classes.
See also: happen, rue
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

go to rack and ruin

 and go to wrack and ruin
to become ruined. (The words rack and wrack mean "wreckage" and are found only in this expression.) That lovely old house on the corner is going to go to rack and ruin. My lawn is going to wrack and ruin.
See also: and, go, rack, ruin
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

go to rack and ruin

If something goes to rack and ruin, it gets into a very bad state, because nobody looks after it or deals properly with it. This beautiful building was left to go to rack and ruin. The country is going to rack and ruin under this government. Note: You can also say that something falls into rack and ruin During these years, historical monuments were allowed to fall into rack and ruin. Note: The expression rack and ruin can also be used without these verbs. According to Michael, the whole country's heading for rack and ruin. Note: Less commonly, this expression is spelt wrack and ruin. A once magnificent country house has now fallen into wrack and ruin. Note: `Wrack' means the same as `wreck', something that has been destroyed.
See also: and, go, rack, ruin
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

go to rack and ruin

gradually deteriorate in condition because of neglect; fall into disrepair.
Rack is a variant spelling of the word wrack , meaning ‘destruction’, but it is the standard one in this expression, which has been in use since the late 16th century.
1998 Oldie The allotment below mine looks set to go to rack and ruin from its previous well-tended state.
See also: and, go, rack, ruin
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

go to ˌrack and ˈruin

get into bad condition because of lack of care: The house has gone to rack and ruin over the last few years. The country is going to rack and ruin under this government.
Rack in this idiom means ‘destruction’.
See also: and, go, rack, ruin
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be careful what you wish for(, it might (just) come true)
  • do not try this at home
  • reliance
  • reliance on
  • reliance on (someone or something)
  • a sight to behold
  • be all Greek to someone
  • Greek to me
  • Greek to me, it's
  • (it's) (all) Greek to me
References in periodicals archive
" GRAFT PROBEThe government took a 40 per cent stake in the multinational's local subsidiary (De La Rue Kenya EPZ Ltd) in 2018, paying Pound 5 million (Sh654 million).
Govt green-lights acquisition of De La Rue
The company also said Rogerson will step down if his own replacement is found before a new CEO is hired, and De La Rue said the search for Stevens and Rogerson's replacements is going well.
De La Rue Urges Shareholders To Reject Crystal Amber Fund Move
Rue's parents might have held on, but failing snows meant inadequate irrigation water, and soon their domestic water failed too, the aquifer below their home unable to recharge.
A full life
Rue says she does not want her mother to get more children.
Dating? I fear protective mum - Akothee's daughter
A vehicle for brands to reach a highly attractive customer base, the Rue Gilt Groupe portfolio will serve over 20m members with a focus on young, affluent, fashion and brand-conscious consumers.
Rue La La to Acquire Digital Shopping Business Gilt
Knowing it was just another ruse, she advised him to calm down and revealed that Rue was only joking.
Pinoy maid's suicide was a case of fatal prank, says coroner
David Rue Concrete, LLC, offers an array of concrete construction services, including retaining wall, stamped concrete, and concrete driveway installation, among many others.
Concrete Contractors in Albuquerque, NM, Aim to Reach Locals via Web Marketing Techniques
Cette precedente etude avait apporte un premier eclairage sur la constitution des expressions du type rue X.
Etude comparative entre rue de Rennes et dans la rue de Rennes --une analyse syntaxique et semantique
* Traversez a ('intersection, et continuez a l'est sur l'Ottawa River Parkway, vers a rue Booth.
Map for the 5K and half marathon races
Chaque chapitre inscrit les transformations vecues par la rue Sainte-Catherine dans un contexte social, economique, culturel et geographique plus large.
La rue Sainte-Catherine. Au coeur de la vie montrealaise
Cette redefinition a exclu du recensement les enfants ayant un toit qui les heberge [beaucoup moins que]les enfants qui frequentent la rue et dorment chez eux le soir ainsi que ceux qui se trouvaient dans des institutions d'insertion et de sauvegarde de l'enfance au moment de l'enquete n'ont pas ete consideres comme enfants en situation de rue[beaucoup plus grand que] conclut la Ministre.
Enfants en situation de rue : Nouzha Skalli: [beaucoup moins que]Dans d'autres pays, une femme qui mendie avec son petit est directement sanctionne et son enfant est mis dans un centre d'accueil[beaucoup plus grand que]
FRENCH firm Oberthur has abandoned plans to takeover banknote printer De La Rue, whose main UK factory in Gateshead has 180 staff, after its latest approach was rejected.
Banknote printer takeover is ditched
A FRENCH takeover suitor stepped up pressure on British banknote printer De La Rue yesterday by calling for a clearer picture of the production problems which shook the company last year.
De La Rue suitor seeking clarity
Last month we covered in some detail the bid by Oberthur for De La Rue. Oberthur had to go public with its offer to force De La Rue to inform its shareholders and market of the offer.
New year, same story!