rack
A frame or shelf that holds things.
A frame, stand, or shelf used to hold, store, or display objects.
To make someone feel very bad pain or worry.
To cause someone or something severe physical pain or emotional distress.
To look through things quickly and messily to find something.
To search through something in a hurried or careless way, often causing disorder.
A strong frame that holds special machines or equipment.
A framework, often metal, designed to hold technical equipment securely, such as servers or audio gear.
A frame that holds food for animals.
A frame of bars used to hold hay or other food for animals to eat from.
- Base: rack
- Plural: rack, racks
- Base: rack
- 3rd Person Singular: racks
- Present Participle: racking
- Past: racked
go to rack and ruin
1Become ruined through neglect or decline over time
To slowly get into a very bad condition because no one takes care of it.
- The old house has gone to rack and ruin.
- His health went to rack and ruin after years of poor diet.
off the rack
1Standard-sized ready-made clothing
Clothes that are made in set sizes and sold ready to wear, not made for one person.
- Most of my suits are bought off the rack.
- Off-the-rack dresses are usually cheaper than tailored ones.
on the rack
1Under extreme stress or pressure
Feeling very stressed or worried, as if being tortured.
- She's been on the rack waiting for the exam results.
- The negotiations kept him on the rack for weeks.
rack one's brain
1Think very hard about something difficult
To try very hard to remember something or find an answer.
- I racked my brain but couldn’t remember his name.
- She racked her brain trying to solve the puzzle.
rack up
1Accumulate a large amount
To get or collect a lot of something, especially points, money, or wins.
- He racked up a huge phone bill last month.
- She has racked up several awards for her work.